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THE LIFE 



f |{ it. i^b. »lliam lipte, §. g., 

BISHOP OF PENNSTLVANIA. 

AND 

PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

IN THE UNITED STATES. 



JOHN N. NORTON, A. M., 

RS070R OF ASCENSION CHURCH, 'iJ^ANKFORT, KENTUCKY. AUTHOR OF "THE 

BOY WHO WAS TRAINED UP TO BE A CLERGYMAN," 

"FULL PROOF OF THE MINISTRY," 

ETC., ETC. 



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7/- 



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"Tlie memory of Bishop White possesses an enduring mterest, whether 
the view that is taken of his Life be historical, or strictly biographical ; 
whether his acts are considered as bearing upon public interests, or as illus- 
trative of individual character."— iVett> York Review. 



NEW YORkI^ 
Cfeneral 3Protestant Bpijjcopal S. Scjool Union, antr 
(Hiinxtl) Book Societs, 

63T BROADWAY. 
1856. 






"V-^ 



[of CONORtit 



i 



TO 

PBESrDENT OP HOBAET PEEK COLLEGE, 
THE 

IIEE OF EISHOP WHITE 
(no matter how small the volume which contains it,) 

IS so FULL of interest TO ALL GOOD MEN, 
that I AM SURE YOU WILL NOT DISDAIN 

€i^isi ExihuU of ^iUttion 

FROM A FORMER PUPIL, AND A SINCERE AND 

DEVOTED FRIEND. 



PREFACE. 



Should this little volume meet with the appro- 
bation of Churchmen, it is the Author's intention to 
prepare others of a similar character, containing the 
Memoirs of Bishops Griswold, Chase, Hobart, Heber, 
Stewart, and others. 

No one who has not actually performed the task 
of writing biographies for the young, can form any 
idea of the difficulty of such an effort. 

Without hoping to disarm criticism by this remark, 
the Author trusts that it may at least secure for this 
humble offering, a patient reading, and protect him 
from harsh and hasty judgment. 

It is but justice to state, that he has freely availed 
himself of every source of information within his 
reach. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTEH I. 

Pagb 

"Is it true ?"—PareTita£:e— Birth— Child of God— Boyish tastes- 
Juvenile preaching — Eefusing to dance — Sent to school — College 
life 9 



CHAPTER II. 

Confirmation — A vexed question settled — Choice of a profession — 
Difficulties— Voyage to London — Non -resident Bishop — Ordained 
Deacon— Kindred 14 

CHAPTER III. 

Sojourn in England — Oxford — Bishop Lowth — Sacred music— Dr. 
Home— Samuel Johnson — Prince of Abyssinia— Oliver Goldsmith 
— Ordained Priest— Pweturn Home ....... 18 



CHAPTER lY. 

"Welcome home— Assistant Minister— Marriage— Revolutionary trou- 
bles— Perplexities— Straight-forward honesty— Oath of allegiance 
—Philadelphia taken 2S 

CHAPTER Y. 

War— Chaplain to Congress — Dismal days— New inkstands— Pre- 
vailing prayer — Return to Philadelphia— Forlorn hope ... 27 



CHAPTER YI. 

Eector of Christ Church and St. Peter's— Pwevival of the Church- 
Difficulties— Bishop Scab ury— Providential directions— Conven- 
tions 82 



CONTENTS. 7 

CHAPTER Til. 

Page 
Another convention— Three Bishops chosen — Voyage to England — 
Consecration— Pleasing incident— Difficulties avoided — First con- 
secration in America. 37 



CHAPTER YIII. 

The Church established by God— St. Paul in Britain — Origin of the 
Prayer Book — Slow progress — Care of all the Churches— The con- 
secration of twenty-six Bishops 



CHAPTER IX. 

Bishop While as a parish minister — Yellow fever— Faithfulness in 
danger— Abundant labors in old age— Standing as a preacher- 
Anecdote — Kapid utterance and slow 46 



CHAPTER X. 

Presiding Bishop— Bishops all equal in rank — Similarity between 
the General Convention, and the Congress of the United States 
— A dilemma— Domestic trials and afflictions. . . . . .51 



CHAPTER XI. 

A nation's tears — Washington a communicant of the Episcopal 
Church— Affecting incident— Benevolence to the poor — Washing- 
ton at church 55 



CHAPTER XII. 

New churches- Extremes meet— Bishop Hobart's consecration — 
Disappointed hopes— Early missionary society — The west. . . 60 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Missionary societies— General Theological Seminary— Welcome to 
Lafayeite—LoMg journeys— Dangerous accident — Again at work — 
Watchful Providence. 65 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Diocesan troubles — An octogenarian — Election of an assistant Bishop 
—Parties in the Church 70 



8 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XY. 

Page 

Bishop "White as a student and an author— Girard College— Noble 
protest — Daniel Webster— Question to be solved 75 

CHAPTER XYI. 

Mission to China — The Church arousing herself to action— Neg- 
lected opportunities — Dr. Cutler's sermon — Memorable conven- 
tion—Missionary Bishops chosen — The last night of the session. . 80 



CHAPTER XYII. 

Bishop "White as a citizen — Wire-drawn biographies — Influence at 
elections— Colonization society — Greek revolution — Indian tribes 
— Public dinners. 85 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

Collecting materials for a Church History— Dr. Hawks sent to Eng- 
land—Letter to Bishop White— Interview with the Archbishop 
of Canterbury— Kindness and courtesy 89 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Lengthening shadows — Serious illness— Last sermon— Stroke of 
death — Christian composure — Wide-spread distress — Funeral. . 94 



CHAPTER XX. 

The General Sunday School Union— Character of Bishop White — 
His goodness— Mildness— Humility — Benevolence — Affection — 
Conclusion 99 



THE 



f if^ 0f Si^ffi M^itt. 



i 



CIIAPTEE I. 

"is it true?" PARENTAGE BIRTH CHILD OF GOD 

BOYISH TASTES JUVENILE PREACHING REFUSING TO 

DANCE SENT TO SCHOOL — COLLEGE LIFE. 

It is a question often asked by little folks, after 
reading, or listening to a story, " Is it true ?" show- 
ing, by this inquiry, that their estimation of its worth 
will depend, in a great degree, upon the answer they 
receive. I have been surprised, therefore, that more 
pains have not been taken to prepare authentic bio- 
graphies of the wise and good for their entertainment 
and instruction, instead of dealing so largely in the 
fictitious and the improbable. 

"With a view of testing the soundness of my the- 
ory, I have concluded to write a short memoir of 



10 LIFE OP BISHOP WHITE. 

Bishop White, and I am sure that it will be my own 
fault, and not that of the subject, if this effort should 
prove unsuccessful. 

William White was born in Philadelphia, on the 
fourth of April, 1748. He was the son of Colonel 
Thomas White, an Englishman by birth, who emi- 
grated to Maryland in his sixteenth year ; coming to 
the New World, like many others, to seek his fortune. 
He married twice ; his second wife, (the widow New- 
man, a native of Burlington, New Jersey,) being the 
mother of the subject of this memoir, who was after- 
wards to act so prominent a part in the history of the 
American Church. 

The parents of Bishop White were both excellent 
people ; their son thus speaks of them in a letter to 
a friend, written long after their decease : " My father 
left the world with the reputation of unsullied integ- 
rity through life ; and I think I may say that he pos- 
sessed a remarkably correct judgment of men and 
things. In his domestic character he was indulgent 
and exemplary. During the last twenty-two years 
of his life, he was so far a cripple, in consequence of 
a fall from a carriage, as to walk on two canes with 
handles. This kept him out of all society, except 
such as could be had at his own hospitable table and 
fireside ; and, except in afternoons, of some of the 
principal gentlemen of the city, of his own age, who, 
in those days, habitually assembled at the publio 



JUVENILE PREACHING* 11 

coffee-house, for society merely. My mother, if I 
am not misled by partiality, possessed an excellent 
understanding, with sincere, but unostentatious piety. 
It would be wrong not to record the acknowledgment 
of the benefit of her religious instructions upon my 
young mind, for which I owe gratitude to her mem- 
ory, and to the grace of God for the benefit received 
from them." 

In these modest terms does the good Bishop bear 
testimony to the value of that early training, which 
fitted him for usefulness in after years. Having been 
made " a member of Christ, and a child of God," by 
Holy Baptism, he was gently led along, step by step, 
in the way he should go, and true to the promise con- 
tained in His blessed Word, the kind and watchful 
Providence of God never allowed him to depart 
from it. 

It is gratifying to notice how early William White 
manifested a taste for the office of the sacred minis- 
try. A Quaker lady, who had known him intimately 
from his early boyhood, pleasantly remarks, that 
" Billy White was born a Bishop — I never could per- 
suade him to play anything but church. He would 
tie his own or my apron round his neck, for a g(^wn, 
and stand behind a low chair, which he called his 
pulpit; I, seated before him on a little bench, was 
the congregation; and he always preached to me 
about being good. One day," she continues. '- 1 heard 



12 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

him crying, and saw him running into the street, and 
the nurse-maid after him, calling to him to come back 
and be dressed. He refused, saying, ' I do not want 
to go to dancing school, and I won't be dressed, for I 
don't think it is good to learn to dance.' And that 
was the only time I ever knew Billy White to be a 
naughty boy.*' The same lady mentions, that when 
her little playfellow had grown up to manhood, and 
had become a Bishop, she reminded him of this 
amusing circumstance in his history, and that he told 
her, that when his mother found him so unwilling to 
learn to dance, she gave it up, " though,*' he said, " I 
am by no means opposed to others learning, if they 
like to dance." 

When seven years of age, William White, who 
had previously been attending a primary school, 
taught by a female, was sent to the English school 
connected with the College of Philadelphia, an insti- 
tution then in its infancy. Three years afcer, we find 
him advanced to the Latin school, of which Mr. Paul 
Jackson was the master. 

It was unfortunate for young White that this gen- 
tleman soon resigned a position which he was so ad- 
mirably qualified to fill, leaving his school to the 
care of Mr. John Beveridge. The new master find- 
ing it necessary to limit the number of his classes, 
pushed William W'hite forward into studies for 



COLLEGE LIFE AND SUCCESS. 13 

which he was not fully prepared, thus rendering his 
course far more difficult and painful. 

Notwithstanding this unfortunate advancement, he 
contrived, by diligence and perseverance, to maintain 
a respectable standing, and, at the early age of thir- 
teen, was pronounced qualified to enter college. His 
father, however, took a very sensible view of the 
matter, and thinking him too young for beginning 
such an arduous task, insisted upon his remaining in 
the Latin school another year. This determination 
was extremely mortifying to the young student, at 
first, but he lived long enough to discover that 
parents are generally much wiser than their children, 
and that their prudent counsels should be carefully 
followed. 

He entered college when fourteen years of age, 
completing the course in three years, and sustaining 
throughout a good reputation as a scholar. 

We have thus briefly traced the career of the fu- 
ture Presiding Bishop of the American Church, from 
his infancy to his seventeenth year, and now leave 
him, at the close of the chapter, standing upon the 
threshold of life, and looking forward upon what it 
might have in store for him. 

2 



14 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 



J 



CHAPTER II. 



CONFIRMATION A VEXED QUESTION SETTLED CHOICE OF A 

PROFESSION DIFFICULTIES VOYAGE TO LONDON — ■ NON-RES 

IDENT BISHOP ORDAINED DEACON KINDRED. 

A YOUTH trained up as carefully as William White 
had been, should be ready for Confirmation by the 
time he has reached his seventeenth year, and my 
readers may be anticipating such an announcement 
at this period of the history. But it should be re- 
membered that I am writing about things which 
happened before the Revolutionary War, when this 
country was only a colony of Great Britain, and when 
there were no Bishops on the American continent. 

The Church in the New World needed Bishops, — 
and besought the mother Church in England to send 
them ; but these prayers were, for a long time, un- 
heard. 

No matter how anxious young White might have 
been to ratify and renew the vows of Baptism in the 
apostolic rite of the " laying on of hands," there was 
no possibility of his wish being gratified, because the 
Church was thus cruelly deprived of the watchful care 
of chief shepherds of the flock. 



CHOICE OF A PROFESSION.. 15 

The state of religion in America, during all the 
dismal days when the Church was thus doomed to 
drag out a miserable existence, with lax discipline 
and unfaithful clergymen, showed too plainly that 
no part of her frame-work can safely be dispensed 
with.* 

The time had now come when William White 
must determine what his future course in life should 
be, and those who remember the little incident of his 
childhood, related in the first chapter, will not be 
surprised to find that he made choice of the holy 
ministry. Would to God that thousands more, who 
are growing up to manhood, would follow his exam- 
ple in this respect ! To pursue a theological course, 
in these days, and to obtain ordination, is compara- 
tively an easy matter. But when young White thus 
resolved to devote himself to God's service, there 
were no " schools of the prophets," in this land, where 
students could be educated for their work : books 
were few and expensive : and even when candidates 
for the ministry, in spite of all difficulties, had finished 

* It seems to have been taken for granted, hy many Churchmen, that 
Bishop White must certainly have been confirmed upon his first visit to 
England for ordination. In 1852, the question gave rise to a controversy 
in the religious papers of the Church and of other bodies of Christians, and 
the whole matter was settled by Dr. Mulilenberg, in these few words: — 
*' We recollect distinctly Bishop White's telling us that he never Avas 
confirmed, and his adding, moreover, that the English Bishops were not 
in the practice of confirming those wiio came over from this country for 
ovdintil\on.'''—Mvangelical Catholic, vol. ii., p. 15. 



16 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

their preparatory course, how could they obtam the 
commission to act as ambassadors for Christ ? 

There was only one alternative, — take a long aid 
dangerous voyage to England, for the purpose of 
being ordained, or give up, altogether, the hopes and 
plans of years. 

Young White was fortunate enough to receive aid 
and direction in his studies from the Rev. Messrs. 
Peters and Duche, two clergymen then settled and 
officiating in the city of Philadelphia. 

Three other young men began their studies at the 
same time, and under like circumstances. One of 
these, Thomas Coombe, we shall have occasion to 
mention again, in another chapter. 

At the close of five years, the necessary studies 
having been mastered, the next great step must be 
taken, — the going to England for holy orders. Ac- 
cordingly, in October, 1770, young White embarked 
for London, and after a tedious and trying voyage, 
landed safely upon the soil which his fathers had 
trod. 

Strange as it may seem to us, who have lived to 
see the number of Bishops so greatly multiplied, all 
of the Episcopal churches in America were then con- 
sidered as belonging to the diocese of the Bishop of 
London, Dr. Richard Terrick. Practically, it was, 
of course, impossible for the Bishop of London to 
perform any Episcopal duties in x\m erica, and so 



SOJOURN IN ENGLAND. 17 

there was no alternative for all those who desired to 
serve God in the ministry of His church, but to cross 
the broad Atlantic, and receive their commission from 
Apostolic hands in England. 

After having passed the requisite examinations, 
Mr. White was ordained a deacon. 

From the Apostles' days till now, there have always 
been three grades of ministers in the Church of Christ, 
viz. : Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. It was to the 
lowest of these offices that the young Philadelphian 
was admitted at that time. As a deacon is only al- 
lowed to preach and baptize, and cannot administer 
the Lord's Supper, and perform other duties peculiar 
to a priest, he must either make another voyage to 
England to receive orders for this second step in the 
ministry, or remain where he was, until he had 
reached the age of twenty -four years, required by 
the laws of the Church. Mr. White chose the former 
plan, — and happily for him, he had kindred in Eng- 
land, with whom his time could be very pleasantly 
spent. These were sisters of his father, — Mrs. 
White and Mrs. Weeks, who welcomed their nephew 
as a son. Mr. White afterwards inherited from them 
a considerable estate. 
2* 



18 LIFE OF BISHOP -IVHITE. 



CHAPTER III. 

SOJOURN IN ENGLAND OXFORD BISHOP LOWTH SACRED MT7SI0 

DR. HORNE SAMUEL JOHNSON " PRINCE OF ABYSSINIA" 

OLIVER GOLDSMITH ORDAINED PRIEST RETURN HOMK 

The period of Mr. White's sojourn in England, 
was both pleasant and profitable to him. He had 
lodgings in London, but spent a considerable portion 
of time >yith his aunts at their residence in Twicken- 
ham, and also made several journeys to various parts 
of the kingdom. I cannot do my readers a greater 
kindness than to present them with a few selections 
from the journal which he kept during these rambles, 

OXFOED. 

"The most interesting of my excursions was to 
Oxford and Bath, in May, 1771. In each of them, 

my stay was between two and three weeks 

The morning after my arrival in Oxford, Mr. Carr 
took me to the house of the Rev. Mr. Swinton, the 
keeper of the archives of the university, to whom I 
carried a letter from Mr. Costard. We were told by 
a servant, that Mr. Swinton had gone to St. Mary's, 



J 



BISHOP LOWTH. 19 

the university cliurcb, to the visitation. My friend 
confessed that he had forgotten the occasion, and 
proposed our going to hear the Bishop's charge. 
He was the celebrated Dr. Lowth. We entered the 
church soon after he had begun, and was proceeding 
to a commendation of the character of Achbishop 
Seeker, who had died since the last charge, and who 
had preceded the speaker in his diocese. In the fol- 
lowing winter, I was present at the same Bishop's 
anniversary sermon before the Society for Propa- 
gating the Gospel. And fifteen years afterwards, I 
visited him under the decay of his great powers; he 
being then Bishop of London. 

" Dining on a Sunday in Worcester College, I was 
asked by a young clergyman who sat near me, a Mr. 
Walker, whether I took pleasure in sacred music. 
On being answered in the affirmative, he proposed 
our going to the chapel of Magdalen College. We 
went, after dinner, and the music was as delightful as 
can be imagined. 

"My attention being attracted to a divine, who, 
from his dress and from his stall, appeared to be the 
principal person in the chapel, I inquired his name, 
and was told that he was Dr. Home, the president 
of the college. This was the excellent man since 
Bishop of Norwich, and well known from his writ- 
ings. He was handsome, and of a good pres- 



20 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

I cannot withhold Mr. White's simple account of 
his acquaintance with the great giant of English Lite- 
rature, Dr. Samuel Johnson. 

''My introduction to him was a letter from the 
Rev. Jonathan Odell, formerly a missionary at Bur- 
lington, The doctor was very civil to me. I visited 
him occasionally ; and I know some who would be 
tempted to envy me the felicity of having found him, 
one morning, in the act of preparing his dictionary 
for a new edition. His harshness of manner never 
displayed itself to me, except in one instance; when 
he told me that had he been prime minister, during 
the then recent controversy, concerning the stamp act, 
he would have sent a ship of war, and levelled one 
of our principal cities with the ground. On the other 
hand, I have heard from him sentiments expressive 
of a feeling heart, and convincing me, that he would 
not have done as he said. 

" Having dined in company with him, in Kensington, 
at the house of Mr. Elphinstone, well known to 
scholars of that day, and returning in the stage coach 
with the doctor, I mentioned to him there being a 
Philadelphia edition of his "Prince of Abyssinia." 
He expressed a wish to see it. I promised to send 
him a copy on my return to Philadelphia, and did 
so. He returned a polite answer, which is printed 
in the second edition of Mr. Bos well's life of the 
doctor." 



OLIVER GOLDSMITH. 21 

Let me introduce my readers to one more literary 
character, and we will then close Mr. White's 
journal, 

OLIVER GOLDSMITH. 

" We lodged, for some time, near to one another, 
in Brick Court, of the Temple. I had it intimated to 
him, by an acquaintance of both, that I wished for the 
pleasure of making him a visit. It ensued ; and in 
our conversation it took a turn which excited in me 
a painful sensation, from the circumstance that a man 
of such a genius, should write for bread. 

" His ' Deserted Village' came under notice ; and 
some remarks were made by us on the principle of 
it, the decay of the peasantry. He said, that were 
he to write a pamphlet on the subject, he could prove 
the point incontrovertibly. On his being asked, why 
he did not set his mind to this, his answer was : ' It 
is not worth my while — a good poem will bring me 
one hundred guineas ; but the pamphlet would bring 
me nothing.' This was a short time before my 
leaving England, and I saw the doctor no more." 

Mr. White had now been absent from home nearly 
two years, and it must have been a pleasant conclu- 
sion of this long space of weary waiting, when, in 
June, 1772, he was ordained a priest by the Bishop 
of London. The young clergyman embarked at 
once, for his native land, and reached Philadelphia 



22 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

on the 13th of September. It was a joyful occasion 
for the re-union of friends, and the soldier of the 
cross, having now been authorized, in his Master's 
name, to labor in His vineyard, is fully prepared to 
enter upon the work. 



WELCOME HOME. 23 



CHAPTEii IV. 

WELCOME HOME ASSISTANT MINISTER MARRIAGE — REVOLU- 
TIONARY TROUBLES PERPLEXITIES STRAIGHTFORWARD HON- 
ESTY — OATH OF ALLEGIANCE PHILADELPHIA TAKEN. 

Although it is true, as a general rule, that "a 
prophet" can look for more honor abroad than at 
home, still, in the case of Mr. White, boyhood and 
youth had been so blamelessly passed, that when he 
became a man, and appeared among the inhabitants 
of his native city as a minister of God, they were 
ready to welcome his coming, and listen with respect 
to his message. 

The month after his arrival at Philadelphia he was 
chosen Assistant Minister of Christ Church and St. 
Peter's — those churches forming then one parish. 
The Eev. Dr. Peters was the Eector, and the Rev. 
Tacob Duche, Senior Assistant. 

The last-named gentleman is well known, as having 
offered up the first prayer in Congress, and he is re- 
presented in his surplice, with a large Prayer Book, 
in the beautiful and striking picture of that memor- 
able event. 

Mr. White's old friend, the Rev. Mr. Coombe, was 
elected assistant at the same time with himself. 



24 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

In February, 1773, Mr. White married Mary Har- 
rison, an amiable and excellent lady, for whom he 
had cherished an attachment for several years. Her 
parents were English, her father having once been a 
sea-captain, but later in life he was an alderman, 
and mayor of Philadelphia. He was also a leading 
member of the vestry of Christ Church, when it was 
the only Episcopal Church in the city. " With this 
lady Mr. White lived in uninterrupted harmony until 
her death, on the 13th of December, 1797. He was 
not again married. He never ceased to deplore her 
loss, with the tenderest recollection of her merits."* 

The life of a parish minister has little variety of 
incident to record, and nothing occurred in the career 
of the subject of this memoir which it will be neces- 
sary to notice, until the approach of the Revolutionary 
War. The troubles between Great Britain and her 
colonies were becoming more and more serious, and 
the strange infatuated policy of the mother country 
hastened the crisis. The position occupied by Mr, 
White was a peculiar and trying one. He was the 
son of an Englishman, and was bound to the land of 
his fathers by ties of affectionate relationship, and, 
above all, he was a minister of the Church of Eng- 
land in America. 

The issue of the revolutionary struggle was an 

♦ Dr. Wilson's Life of Bp. White, p. 46. 



PATRIOTIC DECISION. 25 

extremely doubtful one. Indeed, unless Providence 
should help the oppressed colonists, it seemed but 
too certain that England, with her well-trained sol- 
diers and abundance of the munitions of war, must 
finally prevail. 

But the young clergyman allowed none of these 
considerations to have an undue influence with him. 
He was willing to be a loyal subject of the king, 
within the limits required by the constitution ; but, 
like every one who is not base-born and slavish in 
spirit, he could brook no oppressive wrongs. " It 
had been a matter of conscience with him to study 
not less his civic duty than his civic rights ; and 
accordingly, when the political emergency arose, 
enhanced as it was to him by the added perplexity 
of ecclesiastical truth, he could see the path of his 
duty clear though enveloped with danger. His sen- 
timents were early publicly stated, and maintained 
with the confident composure of truth."* 

Happy was it for the cause of freedom in these 
States, that such men as Bishop White were found in 
the ranks of the struggling colonists, and that the 
voice of prayer ceased not to ascend to the throne 
of Him who ruleth among the armies of Heaven, 
and over the inhabitants of earth. Shortly after the 
Declaration of Independence, upon the 4th of July, 

♦ New York Review, vol. v., p. 418. 



26 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

1776, Mr. White took the oath of allegiance to the 
United States, and ever remained faithful to it. On 
going to the court house for the purpose, a gentleman 
of his acquaintance standing br. intimated to him. by 
a significant gesture, the danger to which he would 
thus expose himself. Nothing daunted, however, he 
went forward, and gave in his adherence to the new 
government, and then observed to his prudent friend, 
" I perceived, by your gesture, that you thought I 
was exposing my neck to great danprer by the step 
which I have taken. But I have not taken it without 
full deliberation. I know my danger, and that it is 
greater on account of my being a clergyman of the 
Church of England. But I trust in Providence. 
The cause is a just one, and I am persuaded will be 
protected.'' 

In September, 1777, Mr. White retired, with his 
family, to the residence of his brother-in-law, in 
Harford county, Maryland. Meanwhile the British 
troops were advancing towards Philadelphia, which 
soon fell into their power. This was indeed a dismal 
period for those who hoped for the freedom of the 
colonies; but there was One dwelling on high, who, 
by His overmling pro^-idence, finally crowned the 
efforts of an oppressed people with a glorious triumph. 



CHAPLAIN TO CONGRESS. 27 



CHAPlEJi V. 

WAR — ■ CHAPLAIN TO CONGRESS DISMAL DAYS — NEW INK- 
STANDS — PREVAILING PRAYER — RETURN TO PHILADELPHIA 

FORLORN HOPE. 

War was raging throughout the land, and while 
Washington, as a presiding genius, ruled in the camp, 
Mr. White's influence, as a minister of God, was felt 
in the deliberations of Congress, to which bod j he had 
been appointed chaplain. 

Dr. Kemper, now the beloved diocesan of Wiscon- 
sin, was present on some occasions when Bishop 
White, in familiar conversation with his friends, 
related several circumstances connected with this 
appointment, which showed his firmness and decision 
of character in a strong light. 

Being on a journey through the country, he stopped 
at a small village for refreshment, when he was met by 
a courier from Yorktown, informing him that Con- 
gress had chosen him chaplain, and requesting his 
immediate attendance. 

At this time General Burgoyne was marching with 
a powerful army through the northern parts of New 
York, the whole country anticipating with dismay 



28 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

the destruction which would follow his bloodj foot- 
steps, and little dreaming of the laurels which would 
be won at Saratoga. Everything looked dreary and 
disheartening. 

Mr. White was not blind to the dangers which 
threatened, but after a brief consideration, instead of 
proceeding on his journey, he wheeled about, and 
making all speed to Yorktown, entered at once upon 
the duties to which he had been appointed. 

Bigotry sometimes tries to excite opposition 
against the Episcopal Church, by speaking of it as 
unfriendly to republican institutions, and as having 
sided with England during the struggle for indepen- 
dence. A full answer to such false imputations may 
be found in the simple incident just related. Wash- 
ington, a communicant of the Episcopal church, and 
an active vestryman in the parish M^here he lived, 
was the commander-in-chief of the American armies, 
and Mr. White, a devoted clergyman of the Episcopal 
church, was one of the first chaplains to Congress. We 
may form some idea of the straits to which the flithers 
and founders of this great republic were reduced, by 
a few trifling incidents which Mr. White was ac- 
customed to relate. 

On one occasion, going into the chamber of Con- 
gress to perform his ofl^cial duties, he remarked to 
one of the members, " You have been treating your- 
selves, I perceive, to new inkstands." "Yes," he 



i 



DISMAL DAYS. 29 

answered, " and private credit had to be pledged for 
the payment." 

At another time, observing that the clerks had re- 
moved from the room which they usually occupied, 
he asked the cause, and was told that there was no 
wood to make a fire there, nor money to buy it. 

How wonderful that a nation so poor, should have 
been able to contend successfully against one so 
wealthy and powerful ! Surely the Lord fought for 
us, and with us, and put to flight the multitudes of 
the mighty ! From the disturbed and unsettled 
state of the country. Congress was removed from 
place to place, — but, with a few interruptions, and 
those only for a short time, Mr. White continued to 
be elected chaplain by that body, until the final 
transfer of the seat of government to the city of 
Washington, in 1801. 

The British remained in possession of Philadelphia 
for a year, — and upon their evacuation of it in June, 
1778, Mr. White returned again to his duties. 

During the continuance of the Revolution, the affairs 
of the Church had become well nigh desperate, and 
at the point of time to which this history has now 
been brought, he was the only Episcopal clergyman 
remaining within the limits of Pennsylvania. 

" In 1782 there appeared ground to hope for a 
cessation of hostilities between this and the mother 
country, although not at first connected with any 
3* 



80 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 



i 



certain prospect of our independence being recog- 
nized. In this state of things, Dr. White,* rejoicing 
in the prospect of the opportunity thus hoped for, of 
turning public attention to the peaceful concerns of 
religion, threw out for the consideration of what had 
been the Church of England in America, in a small 
pamphlet, a plan of organization, the publishing of 
which has ever since been matter of much regret to 
many of the best friends of himself and his memory. 
The plan was, — besides sundry principles of practical 
detail, many of which were subsequently incorporated 
into the organization of the Church, — to dispense with 
Bishops, and have in their stead certain presbyters, 
chosen by clergy and laity, to act instead of Bishops 
in ordhiation and in government. The plan, however, 
was to include a declaration in favor of Episcopacy, 
and that the plan itself was only intended to be tem- 
porary, and to be superseded, when Bishops could be 
had, by a regular Episcopal organization."! 

Dr. White was led to make this proposal upon the 
supposition that the English church would never be 
willing to send Bishops to the rebellious colonies, 
even should their independence be secured ; but after-, 
wards, when time showed that he ought to have had 
more faith in Him who has promised to be always 

* The degree of D. D. was conferred upon Mr. White, by the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania, in 1782. 
t Churchman's Magazine, vol. i., p. 196— [1854.] 



31 



with His Church, — he immediately withdrew his 
pamphlet from circulation, and entered, with all his 
heart, into the wiser and better measures, for obtain- 
ing Bishops, called and ordained of God, as Aaron 
was. 



^ 



32 LIFK OF BISHOP WHITE. 



CHAPTER YI. 

BECTOR OF CHRIST CHURCH AND ST. PETEr's — REVIVAL OF THE 

CHURCH DIFFICULTIES BISHOP SEABURY PROVIDENTIAL 

- DIRECTIONS CONVENTION'S. 

During the continuance of the Eevolutionary War, 
the Rev. Mr. Duche had returned to England, so 
that Dr. White was left in full charge of his parish, 
and was soon after chosen Eector of St. Peter's and 
Christ Church, a position which he continued to oc- 
cupy until his death. 

The exceeding delicacy and courtesy of Dr. White 
were manifested upon this occasion, as well as upon 
many others. 

In accepting the Eectorship thus offered him, he 
made this stipulation, that he should at once resign 
in Mr. Duche 's favour, if that gentleman ever came 
back to this country. 

And now the great question came up in full force, 
and with all its perplexities about it, viz: whether 
the Apostolic Church of Christ, which, for years had 
been struggling for a foothold upon American soil, 
should recover again from the shock which it had 
sustained, or die a natural death, amidst the tri- 



THE SUCCESSION SOUGHT. 33 

umphant rejoicings of rival sects. The clergymen 
who had been sent out from England, had nearly all 
died, or gone back to their old home, and the scat- 
tered congregations were disbanded, and completely 
discouraged. A few devoted spirits, however, held 
fast to the time-honoured banner, bearing for its 
motto : " Evangelical truth^ and Apostolical order^^ 
and in spite of obloquy and furious opposition, re- 
solved to unite their energies in one vigorous and 
determined effort for the revival of the Church. 

First and foremost among the loyal sons of our 
beloved Zion, were the Churchmen of Connecticut, 
who would rest content with no half-way measures, 
but trusted, that in the Providence of God, they 
would be able to obtain a regular succession of 
Bishops. They remembered the Saviour's promise 
that " the gates of hell should never prevail against 
His Church;" and although the prospect seemed 
dark and gloomy, they still kept up good courage. 
In the pursuance of their plans, in 1783, Dr. Samuel 
Seabury, a godly and well-learned man, was chosen 
Bishop of Connecticut. He sailed for England with- 
out delay, in quest of consecration from the Mother 
Church. 

Had the English Church been free from the tram- 
mels of the state, it is probable that this reasonable 
application would have been gladly complied with. 
But, unfortunately, such was not the case, and after 



34 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

suffering discouragements which would have driven 
any ordinary man to utter despair, Dr. Seabury 
turned to Scotland, where a pure branch of the 
Church existed, unconstrained by those laws which 
were in force in England. He was accordingly con- 
secrated by the Scotch Bishops, at Aberdeen, No- 
vember 14th, 1784, thus securing for Connecticut the 
first fully organized Church in America. 

There can be no doubt that the consecration of 
Bishop Seabury smoothed the way for that of those 
who, afterwards, made application to the English 
Church, for the same high commission. 

Every thing relating to the first organization of 
our branch of the Church, seems, most plainly, to 
have been directed by a Higher Power. The men 
who were prominent actors at the time, were most 
peculiarly fitted for their work. 

Bishop Seabury was bold, and resolute, and de- 
termined, and Dr. White, mild and prudent, and 
conservative. 

The one acted constantly as a check upon the 
other; and the two, when their counsels were uni- 
ted, might be safely trusted with any question which 
could be brought before them. 

With all the zeal and energy which were exerted 
for the advancement of the noble cause, such were 
the difficulties which hindered its progress, that 



STEt>S TOWARDS UmON. 35 

nearly a year passed by, after the election of Bishop 
Seabury, before any positive steps were taken for 
the organization of the Church south of Connecticut. 

The earliest measure leading to the union of 
Churchmen, was begun by Dr. White ; a meeting 
of delegates from three congregations of Philadel- 
phia, being held at his house, March 29th, 1784. 

Another and fuller meeting assembled. May 24th, 
of the same year, at which Dr. White presided. 
Delegates were in attendance from different parts of 
the state, and a Standing Committee was appointed 
to correspond and confer with members of the Church 
in other states, on the subject of an ecclesiastical 
union. A few days afterwards, several clergymen 
and laymen of New York, New Jersey, and Penn- 
sylvania, met at New Brunswick, N. J. ; when Dr. 
White again acted as chairman, and arrangements 
were made for a more general meeting in New York, 
in the following October. 

This meeting was accordingly held, delegates from 
eight different states taking part in its deliberations. 
It was not, however, until a still later Convention, 
which assembled at Philadelphia, September 27th, 
1785, that any very decided measures were agreed 
upon. A general Constitution of the Church was then 
adopted, subject to the ratification of the different 
states, an Address to the English Bishops prepared, 



S6 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

asking them to consecrate Bishops for the American 
Church, and a Prayer Book put forth for the sanction 
of the Church; but this, under the form then prepared, 
was happily never adopted. 



AOTION OF CONVENTION. 37 



CHAPTER VII. 

ANOTHER CONVENTION THREE BISHOPS CHOSEN VOYAGE TO 

ENGLAND CONSECRATION PLEASING INCIDENT DIFFICUL- 
TIES AVOIDED FIRST CONSECRATION IN AMERICA. 

Slowly, but siirelj, were the foundations laid, of 
that branch of the Church of God in this country, 
which was finally to take root, and fill the land. 

Another Convention, composed of delegates from 
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, assembled 
at Philadelphia, in June, 1786, when a letter from 
the English Bishops was read, stating some difficulties 
in the way of their granting the request which had 
been made to them, to which communication the Con- 
vention prepared a suitable reply. Some changes 
were also made in the proposed Constitution. 

Finally, a Convention, (a General Convention, we 
ought, perhaps, to call it), met at Wilmington, Del- 
aware, October 10th, 1786, when it was reported 
that the Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D., had been 
elected Bishop, by the Convention of New York ; the 
Rev. Wm. White, D. D., by Pennsylvania ; and the 
Rev. David Griffith, D. D., by Virginia, The proper 
4 



38 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

testimonials for each were signed in due form. The 
influence of Dr. White, like that of a master spirit, 
was felt throughout all the deliberations of tliis im- 
portant Convention, and the satisfactory and harmo- 
nious conclusion to which the various perplexing dis- 
cussions was brought, may be attributed, in no small 
degree, to him. 

Dr. Griffith, who had been chosen Bishop for Vir- 
ginia, was prevented by domestic and private reasons, 
from making a voyage to England, and accordingly 
declined the flattering appointment which had been 
conferred upon him. 

Dr. White embarked on the 2d of November, 
1786, accompanied by Dr. Provoost, and arrived at 
Falmouth on the 20th of the same month. Upon 
reaching London, they were introduced to the Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury, by Mr. Adams, then our min- 
ister to England, who, though not a member of the 
Church, did all in his power to further its interests. 

Circumstances, over which the Archbishop had no 
control, occasioned some delay, but on the 4th of 
February, 1787, the consecration took place in Lam- 
beth Chapel, where such services are generally held. 
The service was peiformed by John Moore, Arch- 
bishop of Canterbury ; William Markham, Arch- 
bishop of York ; Charles Moss, Bishop of Bath and 
Wells ; and John Hinchliffe, Bishop of Peterborough. 

A little incident occurred, upon this interesting oc- 



I 



BISHOP WHITE CONSECRATED. 39 

casion, which is so characteristic of Dr. White's 
kindliness of disposition, and the unchangeableness 
of his friendship, that I cannot resist the temptation 
of giving it in his own words. 

"The consecration was performed in the chapel of 
the palace of the Archbishop, in the presence of his 
family and his household, and very few others; 
among whom was my old friend, the Rev. Mr. Duche. 
I had asked the Archbishop's leave to introduce him, 
and it was a great satisfaction to me that he was 
there; the recollection of the benefit which I had re- 
ceived from his instructions in early life, and a tender 
sense of the attentions he had shown me almost from 
my infancy, together with the impressions left by the 
harmony which had subsisted between us in the dis- 
charge of our joint pastoral duty in Philadelphia, 
being no improper accompaniments to the feelings 
suited to the present very interesting transaction of 
my life. I hope that I felt the weight of the occasion. 
May God bless the meditations and the recollections 
by which I had endeavored to prepare myself for 
it, and give them, their due effect on my temper and 
conduct, in the new character in which I am to 
appear." * 

On the day after their consecration, the American 
Bishops left London for Falmouth, from whence they 

* Bp. White's Memoirs of tho Prot. Epis. Cliurch, p. 137. 



40 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

sailed on the 17th, having been detained a week 
in the harbor by contrary winds. They reached 
New York on Easter Sunday, April 7th,- — thus mak- 
ing three Bishops within the bounds of the Union. 

'"' May we not, in truth, say, without the charge of 
superstition, that it was a notable coincidence that 
thus brought to the American Church the most pre- 
cious boon which man could give, at the very mo- 
ment of their being assembled in God's house, to 
thank Him for the greatest of His own heavenly 
gifts. It was in truth, as it were, a resurrection. 
Then, for the first time, stood forth the Protestant 
Episcopal Church in America vitally organized, an 
independent and integral portion of the Catholic 
Apostolic Church of Christ." * 

During the year 1789, two sessions of the General 
Convention were held, at the first of which a union 
was effected with Bishop Seabury and the Diocese of 
Connecticut. 

It is not to be understood from this language that 
any real difficulty had interrupted the harmony of 
the Church in the different states, but rather an ap- 
prehension that such might be the case. The source 
of uneasiness was this. Although no one couJd doubt 
the validity of the consecration which Bishop Seabury 
had received from the Church in Scotland, still, the 

* McVickars Professional Years of Bishop Hobart, p. 91, 2. 



I 



APOSTOLIC ORDER. 41 

English Bishops had requested that no Bishops should 
be consecrated in America, until three Bishops had 
received their consecration in England, that thus the 
succession in this country might be continued in the 
English line. Bishop White, while he was perfectly 
convinced that Bishop Seabury's consecration was as 
valid as his own, felt bound in honour to see that the 
wishes of the English Bishops, in this particular, 
should be faithfully carried out. When, therefore, 
the Rev. Edward Bass was chosen Bishop of Mas- 
sachusetts and New Hampshire, he did not think it 
proper to proceed with his consecration, until Dr. 
Madison, who had been elected Bishop of Virginia, 
returned from England, clothed with Episcopal au- 
thority. 

The first consecration which took place in the 
United States was that of Dr. Claggett, as Bishop of 
Maryland, in 1792, on which occasion Bishop Pro- 
voost presided, assisted by Bishops Seabury, White, 
and Madison. 

And thus the English and Scotch successions 
were united in conveying the Episcopal authority in 
a line of Bishops, which, we have every reason to 
believe, will be acting as Chief Shepherds in this 
portion of the vineyard, when the Divine Head of 
the Church shall appear, at the final day, upon the 
throne of His glory. 
4* 



42 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED BY GOD — ST. PAUL IN BRITAIN 

ORIGIN OF THE PRAYER BOOK SLOW PROGRESS CARE OF 

ALL THE CHURCHES THE CONSECRATION OF TWENTY-SIX 

BISHOPS. 

Although so much has been said of what Bishop 
White and other holy men were permitted to do to- 
wards reviving the Church in America, it must not 
for a moment be supposed that they made the Church. 
No one but God has power to do that. He who 
made the worlds made the Church also. 

The Church, in whose concerns Bishop White took 
such a lively interest, is built upon the foundation of 
Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being 
the chief corner-stone. 

A branch of that ancient Church was planted in 
Britain in Apostolic days, and as we have good reason 
to believe, by St. Paul himself* The Church in 
America, to which it is our privilege to belong, calls 
the Church in England her mother, because our Bish- 
ops were there empowered to fulfil the duties of their 
high and holy office. 

* Odenbeimer on the " Origin of the Prayer Book," p. 64, and p. 150. 



THE PRAYER BOOK. 43 

Nor is this all. Not only did Bishop White never 
dream of trying to establish a new Churchy but he did 
not even help to compose a new Prayer Book, The 
Church of Christ, like the Jewish Church before it, had 
always used forms of prayer. Of course, I do not 
mean to say that the various branches of the Church, 
throughout the world, had worshipped God according 
to the same Prayer Book. The Church in each coun- 
try, although branches of the one true vine, had a 
right to arrange the forms of worship to suit their 
own peculiar condition : but all of the Prayer Books 
in the world were, in their main features, alike. Thus, 
the Prayer Book which has always been used in 
England Is, for the most part, a translation of the 
older Prayer Books, which had come down to the 
Church from Apostolic days. And when, in the 
course of Divine Providence, the United States be- 
came a free and independent nation. Bishop White, 
and Bishop Seabury, and other good and learned 
men, took the English Prayer Book, and by making 
a few alterations in it, here and there, adapted it for 
use in this country. It was no easy task, but so skil- 
fully was it executed, that it is generally conceded 
that the American Prayer Book is more like the 
ancient Prayer Books, and better and purer, than any 
Prayer Book now in use upon the globe. 

We have brought down the thread of our history 
to 1792. Ten years had passed since the close of 



44 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

the Revolutionary War, bat still the Episcopal Church 
had scarcely begun to recover from the effects of past 
misfortunes. She could indeed point to Washington, 
and Jay, and Morris, and Madison, and Marshall, 
among her members, as evidence that the Episcopal 
government harmonized most perfectly with the free 
institutions of the land ; but still, the old leaven of 
opposition remained. The children of those who had 
broken down the " carved work" of the sanctuary, 
" with axes and hammers,^' and who had seized, with 
unprincipled greediness, upon her glebes, and other 
temporal possessions, had grown up in the faith, and 
been warped by the prejudices, of their fathers.* 

The only way to overcome such systematic and 
powerful opposition, was to live it doivn^ — and the 
spotless character of such a man as Bishop White, 
was indeed a standing testimony in favor of the 
claims of the Church, which no reasonable person can 
gainsay. 

The number of clergymen increased very slowly, 
because few wished to enter a profession which would 
require so many sacrifices at their hands. In Bishop 
White's own Diocese, the supply fell so far short of 
the demand, that even the old parishes, existing be 
fore the Revolution, could not all secure the regular 



* I need only refer my readers to Bishop Meade's interesfcino; articles 
upon the condition of the Church in Virginia, at the close of the Kevo- 
lution. 



THE AMERICAN CHURCH. 45 

services of ministers. The clergy did their best to 
keep them alive by occasionally officiating in each, — 
but this was the most that they could hope to accom- 
plish. 

Besides the care of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, 
Bishop White still continued to act a prominent part 
in the affairs of the Church throughout the Union ; and 
his interest in her welfare may be seen in the fact 
that he attended every General Convention, without 
exception, which was held, from the first organization 
of the Church in the United States, until the time of 
his death. He also officiated at the consecration of 
twenty-six Bishops, — the whole number raised to the 
Episcopate from 1795, when the Eev. Robert Smith, 
D. D., was made Bishop of South Carolina, until the 
consecration of Bishop McCoskry, of Michigan, in 
1836. 

It is impossible to study the character of Bishop 
White, or to contemplate the good which he effected 
for the cause of true religion, by his mild and pru- 
dent measures, without being reminded of an Apostle 
of the Church in early times, — " the disciple whom 
Jesus loved,"— the gentle, and heavenly minded ^t, 
John. 



46 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 



CHAPTER IX. 

BISHOP WHITE AS A PARISH MINISTER YELLOW FEVER FAITH- 
FULNESS IN DANGER ABUNDANT LABORS IN OLD AGE 

STANDING AS A PREACHER ANECDOTE RAPID UTTERANCE 

AND SLOW. 

It must be borne in mind that while Bishop White 
was thus constantly occupied with matters pertaining 
to his Episcopal office, he was, at the same time, 
rector of two large city congregations, whose inter- 
ests he never neglected. His eventful life would be 
most imperfectly sketched, even in outline, unless we 
occasionally refer to his duties as parish minister, as 
well as those of Bishop of the Diocese. 

In the summer and autumn of 1793, Philadelphia 
was visited by the yellow fever, — a most dangerous 
disorder, and one which, at that time, proved to be 
unusually fatal. So long a period had elapsed since 
that form of pestilence had visited the city, that its 
coming took the inhabitants by surprise, and occa- 
sioned serious alarm. Most persons, who could pos- 
sibly do so, fled for their lives. 

Bishop White, notwithstanding the remonstrances 
of his friends, determined to stand at his post, and do 



BISHOP white's devotedness. 47 

all in his power for the comfort and consolation of 
the sick and dying. It was represented to him by 
many, that his life was too important to the Church, 
to be exposed to such hazard ; but the good Bishop 
felt safe in the hands of God, and prepared to risk all 
for the cause of Ciirist. His family was removed to 
the country, a few miles from the city, and he occa- 
ionally rode out to see them ; but during the whole 
of that awful period, he continued to occupy his own 
house, with one or two attendants. " It was not then 
known, — as experience afterwards proved," — (says 
his old friend. Dr. Wilson,) — " that the pure atmos- 
phere of the country prevented the danger of con- 
tracting the disease by communication with the in- 
fected. He therefore only saw and conversed with 
his family for a short time in the open air, approach- 
ing no nearer than was necessary with a distinct 
voice to carry on the conversation. I recollect once 
meeting him at the place where they resided, and 
finding their intercourse thus conducted^ though not 
with so much caution as they said it had previously 
been, the disease having then greatly abated, as it 
was at the end of October. Under these trying and 
alarming circumstances, he constantly and faithfully 
visited the sick, and performed every suitable reli- 
gious office, unappalled by the danger, or by the 
painful and revolting scenes to which he was a wit- 
ness. His coachman, who had from choice remained 



48 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

with him. was seized with the fever, and died in hio 
house. But through the whole season, he was him- 
self ptovidentially preserved from sickness. Thus, 
notwithstanduig his high station and importance in 
the Church, and the plausible reasons which might be 
thought to justify his retirement from active official 
performances, exposing him to so great hazard, he 
manifested his conscientious and persevering devotion 
to duty ; — the firmness and constancy of his mind ; — 
and his self-denial, in relinquishingr his own comfort 
and security in compliance with higher claims." 

For several succeeding years, the same dreadful 
pestilence continued to visit Philadelphia, — but at no 
time was Bishop White found forgetfal of his duty. 
And even at a much later period of life, when the 
infirmities of eighty and five years might justly have 
been regarded as releasing him from the more toil- 
some part of his labors, he was seen, day after day, 
administering the consolations of religion in cholera 
hospitals, and at the bedside of the dying. 

I would not have it supposed that the example of 
Bishop White, in this respect, is an uncommon one 
among the ranks of our clergy. The Roman Church, 
indeed, boasts loudly, that in times of peril, her 
ministers are alone faithful unto death ; — but too 
many holy men among Protestants have fallen vic- 
tims to the pestilence that walketh in darkness, 
and to the sickness that destroy eth at noon-day, to 



I 



BISHOP "WHITE AS A PREACHER. 49 

give US much trouble in answering such undeserved 
reproaches. 

The case of Bishop White has been referred to, 
simply because it came in the regular course of the 
narrative, and because it is no every -day occurrence 
to find a Bishop thus performing the duties of the 
humblest deacon, besides attending to the higher 
functions of his office. 

While speaking of Bishop White in his character 
as a parish minister, it seems a fitting occasion to 
refer to his manner of preaching. This was calm, 
serious, and dignified, — and his sermons were always 
full of judicious and solid instruction; — but he could 
never be ranked among the popular class, known as 
pulpit orators. The great defect in his delivery was 
rapidity of enunciation, which he found it almost im- 
possible to correct. 

An anmsing instance of his skill and caution in 
giving advice to others is told in connection with this 
fault. 

Bishop Jarvis, of Connecticut, it seems, was quite 
as remarkable for his slow and tedious delivery, as 
Bishop White was for his rapid enunciation. Having 
repeatedly begged Bishop White to point out any 
defects in his reading, the latter availed himself of a 
favorable opportunity, while Bishop Jarvis was a 
guest at his house. The visiting clergyman had been 
invited to perform family worship, and afterwards, 
5 



50 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

when they were left alone together, Bishop White 
good-humoredly spoke of the criticisms which were 
often made upon their respective modes of reading, 
and added, " I have been thinking, that if we €Ould 
be mixed up together, we might be made tvvo very 
clever fellows in this respect !" 



i 



PRESIDING BISHOP. 51 



CHAPTER X. 

PRESIDING BISHOP BISHOPS ALL EQUAL IN RANK SIMILARITY 

BETWEEN THE GENERAL CONVENTION, AND THE CONGRESS OF THE 
UNITED STATES A DILEMMA DOMESTIC TRIALS AND AFFLIC- 
TIONS. 

After this brief episode, relating to the more pri- 
vate duties of Bishop White's ministerial career, we 
must retrace our steps, and follow him again, in the 
performance of his higher duties. 

At the third General Convention, which assembled 
in 1795, Bishop White presided in the House of 
Bishops, this being the first occasion on which he oc- 
cupied this position. 

This great council of the Church usually meets once 
in three years, and is composed of two distinct 
houses, like the Congress of the United States. The 
upper house, called the House of Bishops, corresponds 
to the Senate, and the lower house, composed of cler- 
ical and lay delegates, corresponds to the House of 
Representatives. No law can be made without the 
agreement of both houses, and thus one house serves 
constantly as a check and safe-guard upon the other. 
Each house has his own presiding officer ; some old 



52 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

and experienced clergyman being chosen president 
of the lower house, and the Bishop who has been 
longest in office, acting as president of the House of 
Bishops. This was the office which Bishop White 
began, in 1795, to fill, and the duties of which he 
continued to discharge, without interruption, until his 
death in 1836. 

I have been thus particular in explaining the na- 
ture of this office, lest when a Bishop is spoken of as 
'' the Presiding Bishop ^^'' it might be erroneously sup- 
posed that there was a real distinction among Bishops, 
and that one was higher in rank than another. 
Bishops all hold the same office, and it is only the 
Pope of Rome, who has trampled upon the rights of 
his equals, and contrary to Scripture and the prac- 
tice of the church from the beginning, is lording it 
over God's heritage. 

When the General Convention met in 1808, there 
were only six Bishops of our Church in the whole 
union. Bishop White states in his '' Memoirs," that 
he had reason to fear, that on account of sickness and 
other causes, none but himself would be present at 
the Convention, and consequently, the question might 
be raised, " Whether a single Bishop can constitute a 
House?" He was clearly of the opinion that such 
was the case, and was prepared to advocate the affirm- 
ative; but fortunately, Bishop Claggett of Mary- 



DOMESTIC AFFLICTIONS. 53 

land, arrived, and relieved him from this painful 
embarrassment. 

Now that the Church has grown to be so large, in 
the United States, (the upper house of the General 
Convention, consisting of more than thirty Bishops), 
it is encouraging to look back, and see from what 
small and discouraging beginnings, God, of His good- 
ness, has caused His Kingdom to arise. 

Early in the year 1797, Bishop White met with a 
severe affliction, in the loss of his son William, who 
died in the thirteenth year of his age. Another of 
his children, a daughter, Ann, had some years before 
been taken from him at an early age. The loss of 
the son was the more deeply felt, beisause he had 
from his infancy been a great favorite in the family, 
and gave promise, so far as his youth would allow a 
judgment to be formed, of being like in character to 
his father. 

Misfortunes seldom come single handed, and one 
is very often the forerunner of another, and perhaps, 
a greater. The year closed with the more trying 
bereavement occasioned by the death of his wife, 
whose health, for a long time, had been infirm and 
precarious. 

The good Bishop, although thus severely afflicted, 
bore up with Christian fortitude, and endeavored to 
be more diligent and active than ever. In a sermon 
preached on the last Sunday in the year, he affect- 
s' 



54 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

ingly availed himself of these painful incidents, and 
of the dec leasing comforts of his earthly lot, to im- 
press on the minds of his flock, the duty of being 
taught so to number their days, that they might ap- 
ply their hearts unto wisdom, even the wisdom which 
would make their calling and electiiis^ sure. 



Washington's death. 55 



CHAPTER XI. 

A nation's tears — WASHINGTON A COMMUNICANT OF THE EPISCOPAL 

CHURCH AFFECTING INCIDENT BENEVOLENCE TO THE POOR 

WASHINGTON AT CHURCH. 

A SHADOW of deepest gloom was cast over the na- 
tion, in December, 1799, by the sudden death of 
Washington. His history, in some respects, is so 
interwoven with that of Bishop White, that I shall 
not be going beyond my proper limits, if I record 
some interesting incidents concerning him. 

Soon after the lamented decease of the ^' Father of 
his country," Congress appointed the 20th of January, 
1800, for the delivery of an oration in honor of his 
virtues and patriotism, upon which occasion. Bishop 
White officiated as chaplain. The form of prayer 
which was used may be found in the Appendix to 
his Memoir by Dr. Wilson, p. 351. 

It seemed peculiarly appropriate, that the good 
Bishop who had been Washington's chaplain in the 
camp, when the tocsin of war first sounded through 
the land, should conduct the funeral services, in mem- 
ory of the distinguished deceased. Although, at 



56 LIFE OF BTSHOP WHITE. 

this late day, some are found to question it, there is 
abundant evidence to prove that Washington was a 
devoted member of the Episcopal Church. The old, 
time worn, family Bible, still contains the record of 
his baptism, into the fold of Christ.* 

The interesting volume, by the Rev. E. C. McGuire, 
entitled, " The Religious Opinions and ClMracter of 
Washing ton^^'' gives a very satisfactory view of the 
matter. 

Bishop Meade, who is as well acquainted as a man 
can possibly be, with all questions of the sort, re- 
marks, in one of his Addresses, that " General Wash- 
ington was in early life not only an active vestry- 
man of the Church, but a communicant, and a liberal 
contributor to the same." During the confusion and 
excitement of the war, not feeling his mind to be al- 
ways in a proper frame for so holy an ordinance, he 
communed but seldom. 

I have known, from my boyhood, a venerable mem- 
ber of the Church, who has herself communed at the 
same time with Washington ; and Dr. Chapman 
states, in a volume of his sermons, that a friend of 
his, " a worthy communicant, saw him partake of the 
consecrated symbols of the body and blood of Christ, 
in Trinity Church, New York, soon after the close of 
the Revolutionary War." 

* New York Eeview, Yol. L, p. 226. 



I 



WASHINGTON AND THE CHURCH. 57 

If more explicit proof be wanting, as to his being a 
communieant of the Episcopal Church, it may be 
found in the Appendix to Sparks's " Life of Washing- 
ton," (pp. 523-4), where we have Washington's own 
words stating the fact, plainly and unequivocally. 

I do not record these things because I consider it 
any matter at all, so far as the Church is concerned, 
whether great men belong to it, or not. She can be 
flattered in no such way. 

The Church has not changed one whit in doctrine, 
since the day when " not many wise men after the flesh, 
not many mighty, not many noble were called."* It 
is however, certainly a fact of some interest, that all 
the leading minds of the nation, from the very first, 
have been Churchmen, and it is in this connection 
alone, that I have taken pains to establish the truth 
that Washington was a member of the Episcopal 
Church. 

There is deep pathos in a little incident related by 
Bishop White, and I prefer to give it in his own 
simple and unaffected words. " On the day before 
General Washingtoji's leaving of the Presidential 
chair, a large company dined with him. During the 
dinner, much hilarity prevailed ; but on the removal 
of the cloth, it was put an end to by the President, 
entirely without design. Having filled his glass, he 

* 1 Cor. i. 26. 



68 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

addressed the company, with a smile on his coun- 
tenance, as nearly as can be recollected hi the fol- 
lowing terms : ' Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 
last time I shall drink your health as a public man; 
I do it with sincerity, and wishing you all possible 
happiness.' There was an end of all pleasantry. 
He who gives this relation, accidentally directed his 
eyes to the lady of the British minister, (Mrs. Liston) 
and tears were running down her cheeks." 

We have a pleasing evidence of the benevolence 
of Washington's disposition, and of the purity of his 
motives in bestowing charity, in a very kind letter 
addressed to Bishop White, in December, 1793, en- 
closing two hundred and fifty dollars, (a " small pit- 
tance," as he modestly calls it), to be distributed, 
according to the Bishop's judgment, among the desti- 
tute widows, and children of Philadelphia. " I have 
no desire," he says, "that my name should be men- 
tioned. If so small a sum can effect any good pur- 
pose, my object will be answered, and all my wishes 
respecting it, gratified." * 

A few years ago, some interesting reminiscences 
of Washington were furnished for "Arthur's Home 
Gazette," by Arthur J. Stansbury, Esq., with which 
T shall close this chapter. He says, " My parents, 
who were Episcopalians, had a front pew in the gal- 

* Bishop White's Memoir, by Dr. Wilson, p. 198-9. 



WASHINGTON IN CHURCH. 59 

\eiy of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and, from that 
favorite post of observation, I noticed in the middle 
aisle a pew lined with crimson velvet, fringed with 
gold, into which I saw a highly dignified gentleman 
enter, accompanied by two others younger than him- 
self, and most respectful in their deportment towards 
him, who, as I have since learned, were members of 
his military family. The deportment of Washington 
was reverent and attentive ; his eyes, when not on 
the Prayer Book, were on the officiating clergyman, 
(Bishop White was the Rector), and no listless or 
irreverent worshipper could plead Washington's ex- 
ample. He could not always be present in the 
church at Philadelphia in the afternoon, being pressed 
by the exigency of public affairs, which, in the mind 
of Washington, were ever held to be matters of ne- 
cessity. Hence, he gave orders, that in case certain 
important despatches were received during his at- 
tendance at church, they should be brought to him 
there ; and I have seen them delivered into his hands. 
He opened them immediately, and deliberately and 
attentively read them through; then laying them on 
the seat by his side, he resumed his Prayer Book, and 
apparently gave his mind to the solemnities of the 
"^ace and the hour." 



60 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 



CHAPTER XII. 

riEW CHURCHES — EXTREMES MEET BISHOP HOBART's CONSECRA- 
TION DISAPPOINTED HOPES EARLY MISSIONARY SOCIETY 

THE WEST. 

The congregations under Bishop White's parochial 
charge had grown so large, that it became necessary, 
to erect a new church for their accommodation. The 
subject was seriously talked of, in 1806, and on the 
1st of May, 1809, the building having been com- 
pleted, was consecrated by the name of St. James's 
Church. This new congregation was united with 
Christ Church and St. Peters', under one parochial 
organization, the Bishop being Rector of all. St. 
James's was the first Episcopal Church erected within 
the limits of Philadelphia after the Revolution ; but 
before Bishop White's death, he had the satisfaction 
of seeing eight more spring up there. The at- 
mosphere of " the city of brotherly love," seems to 
have been peculiarly favorable for the growth of 
Church principles ; and the rapid increase in the 
number of our congregations during the last ten 
years, has been really astonishing. Many of those 
who have found a home in the bosom of our Church, 



BISHOP hobart's consecration. 61 

are of Quaker descent, thus going to establish the 
truth of the old saying, that extremes often meet. 

Persons, who have been bred up in opposition to 
forms, at last resort to the use of forms, as '' a safe- 
guard^'' as Henry Clay once expressed it, " against 
the dangers of formality H"* 

In May, 1811, Bishop White had the satisfiiction 
of presiding at the consecration of his youthful friend 
and brother in Christ, John Henry Hobart, who had 
been elected, most opportunely for the good of the 
Church, as Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of New 
York. 

As one who had been baptized, confirmed, and or- 
dained by him, the occasion could not fail to be one 
of deep and absorbing interest. With all a father's 
fondness and affection, he thus expressed himself in 
the Sermon preached at the Consecration. " I shall 
have peculiar satisfaction in the consecration of a 
brother known in his infancy, in his boyhood, in his 
youth, and in his past labors in the ministry. There 
are not likely to be any within these walls who have 
had such ample opportunities of judging of the 
reverend person now referred to, as to real character 
and disposition. And his ordainer can with truth 
declare, that he shall discharge the duty on which he 
is soon to enter, with the most sanguine prospects as 
to the issue. Perhaps what is now announced may 
not be altogether without a reference to self, although, 
6 



62 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

it is trusted, not operating in a fliulty line. For 
whether it be the infirmity of age, advance of years, 
or, as it is rather hoped, an interest in the future pros- 
perity of the Church, there is cherished a satiisfaction 
in the recollection of counsels formerly given to one 
who is in future to be a colleague; who may, in the 
common course of affairs, be expected to survive; 
and through whom, there may accordingly be hoped 
to be some small measure of usefulness when he who 
gave these counsels shall be no more.'' 

Alas ! for human hopes, and human expectations. 
Bishop Hobart lived long enough, indeed, to realize 
the fondest anticipations of his most devoted friends, 
and has lefl a name and a memory to the Churclij 
which will never die ; but, contrary to* all human cal- 
culations, the younger brother was suddenly cut 
down, while the aged patriarch who had thus touch- 
ingly spoken of his interest in his welflire, and his 
confidence in the success of his labors, was spared 
" to guide and bless a second and a third generation 
of his spiritual children, and to muse over the inscru- 
table ways of Providence, in leaving so long the aged 
stock, while its own vigorous saplings, one after an- 
other, are reft away." 

I referred, in the opening of the chapter, to the en- 
couraging growth of the Church in Philadelphia. Up 
to the year iS12, its progress, in other parts of the 
Diocese, had been extremely slow. Then, however, 



MISSIONARY EFFORTS. 63 

a society was formed, "for the Advancement of 
Christianity in Pennsylvania," the Bishop being its 
president, which, by sending out, and supporting 
missionaries in destitute places, has been the means 
of great and incalculably good. Many churches, now 
flourishing, owe their existence to its fostering care. 
The number of clergymen and congregations con- 
tinued to increase, and at the Convention next before 
Bishop White's death, there were eighty-six clergy- 
men in the Diocese, and ninety-one congregations, a 
marvellous change, indeed, since that disheartening 
time, when he was the only minister whom the 
Church could boast of in the whole State ! 

But Bishop White's attention was by no means 
confined to his own Diocese. He employed every 
means in his power for extending the benefits of the 
Church to the western states and territories of our 
Union. 

The first measures taken for the establishment of 
the Church in Ohio, were commenced by him, and a 
few other clergymen in Philadelphia. A missionary 
was sent out to explore various parts of Ohio, Ken- 
tucky, and Tennessee, whose reports enabled the 
brethren at the east, to direct their operations to ad- 
vantage. 

Thousands and thousands have experienced the 
benefit of those early efibrts in the cause of Domestic 
Missions. 



64 



LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 



When, Lord, to this our western land, 
Led by thy providential hand, 

Our wandering fathers came, 
Their ancient homes, their friends in youth, 
Sent forth the heralds of thy truth, 

To keep them in thy Name. 

Then, through our solitary coast, 
The desert features soon were lost; 

Thy temples there arose: 
Our shores, as culture made them fair, 
Were hallowed by thy rites, by prayer, 

And blossomed as the rose. 



And 0, may we repay this debt, 
To regions solitary yet. 

Within our spreading land ; 
There, brethren, from our common home, 
Still westward, like our fathers, roam, 

Still guided by thy hand. 

Hymn 105, Prayer Book, 



MISSIONARY WORK. 65 



CHAPTER XIII. 



> 



MISSIONARY 80CIETY GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY WEL- 
COME TO LAFAYETTE LONG JOURNEYS DANGEROUS ACCIDENT 

AGAIN AT WORK WATCHFUL PROVIDENCE. 

The first associations for religious objects, were 
formed, as we have seen, by the Church in particular 
Dioceses. Afterwards, as the borders of our Zion 
became enlarged, more extensive plans of operation 
were agreed upon, and finally, the whole American 
Church, as a body, became one great Missionary So- 
ciety, for the spread of the Gospel at home and 
abroad. 

In all the measures and consultations for the ac- 
complishment of these important results. Bishop 
White took an active and zealous part. 

At the General Convention of 1814, a motion was 
made by the delegates from South Carolina, for the 
establishment of a Theological Seminary, where our 
young men could be conveniently and carefully 
trained for the sacred ministry. It would require 
more space than I am able to spare, to mention, in 
detail, the various suggestions which were offered, 
and the experiments tried, before the full organization 
6* 



6Q LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

of our General Theological Seminary was completed, 
and its final location in the city of New York. On 
the question of the expediency of establishing a 
General Seminary, Bishop White differed from most 
of his brethren. 

His choice was, that each Diocese desirous of 
having such an institution, and able to support one, 
should have a Theological School of its own. Not- 
withstanding that preference, however, when it ap- 
peared to be the wish of a majority that a General 
Theological Seminary should be founded, he gave it 
his cordial support; under the impression that it 
ought to have a full and fair trial. 

Time has shown that the judgment of Bishop 
White was well founded. Who, in these days, that 
wishes well to the prosperity of the Church, can re- 
gret, that the schools of the prophets at Alexandria, 
and Middletown, and Gambler, and Jubilee, and Na- 
shotah, are all in successful operation, educating 
those for the service of the sanctuary, who might 
otherwise be lost to the Church, and working to- 
gether with the General Seminary, at New York, in 
supplying the great and increasing demand for 
clergymen ? 

In 1824 we find the good Bishop uniting, with the 
rest of his countrymen, in welcoming him to our 
shores, who had stood by Washington in the thickest 
of the contest for freedom, and whose name no true- 



Lafayette's visit. 67 

hearted American can ever forget, the generous and 
noble Lafayette. The whole nation, animated by- 
becoming gratitude, rose up, with one consent, to do 
honor to the nation's guest. 

The recollection of their intercourse during the 
Revolutionary War, and the Bishop's connection with 
many public bodies which testified their respect to 
the French General by calls and addresses, brought 
them frequently together, and this reunion of former 
friendship, was gratifying to both alike. 

In a letter to Bishop Hobart, then travelling for 
his health in Europe, Bishop White gives the follow- 
ing statement, very honorable to the distinguished 
Lafayette. "There will doubtless appear in the En- 
glish papers the accounts of the reception of Gen- 
eral Lafayette. On no occasion whatever have I 
witnessed an enthusiasm so universally extended. 
My relations to many religious, literary, and charita- 
ble institutions, and, added to them, a degree of ac- 
quaintance with him nearly half a century ago, have 
thrown me in the way of seeing much of him during 
his late visit to our city; and I must do him the 
justice to testify, that he sustained the honors 
showered on him, with singular moderation and 
modesty." 

The actors of that day, have now nearly all passed 
off the stage ; but may w^e not reasonably suppose 
that the friendly relations which existed between 



68 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

Washington, and White, and Lafayette, on earth, 
have been renewed and brightened, amidst the pure 
delights of Paradise ! 

Notwithstanding the Bishop's advanced age, being 
in his seventy-seventh year, he undertook a long jour- 
ney, in October, 1824, to visit the parishes in the 
western parts of Pennsylvania. Several churches 
were awaiting consecration, and a number of persons 
were anxious to be confirmed. Having performed 
Episcopal services in Lewiston, he had left the place, 
and proceeded a few miles on his journey, when the 
horse took fright and ran away. The Bishop was 
thrown out, and fractured his right wrist, and se- 
verely lacerated his face. Every attention was 
shown him, and in the fifteenth day after the fall, he 
reached his home, and in the course of a ihonth, 
again appeared in the pulpit. The ease and speed 
with which he recovered, astonished his attending 
physicians, who thought it showed an uncommon 
vigor of constitution for one so advanced in years. 
The last of May, following, he once more set out on 
a journey to the western counties of his Diocese; and 
extended it, at the request of Bishop Meade, as far 
as Wheeling, Virginia, punctually fulfilling all his 
engagements. There were no railroads, then, to 
bring distant places near to each other, and to lessen 
the fatigues of travelling ; and it is certainly worthy 
of record, that after eight hundred miles of jolting 



THE CARES OF A BISHOP. 69 

and jogging about, the venerable patriarch returned 
in health and safety, early in July. 

Again in the autumn of 1826, he went forth into 
the north-eastern counties of the State, and again, the 
watchful care of our Heavenly Father kept him safe 
from harm. 

The first Pioneer Bishop to the Gentile world has 
well described the cares and trials of every faithful 
Bishop of the Church, be his lot cast in whatever age, 
or country it may : " In journeying^ often^ in perils 
of waters^ in perils in the city^ in perils in the wilder- 
ness ; in weariness and painfulness^ in watchings 
often^ in hunger and thirsty in fastings often^ in cold 
and nakedness ; besides those things that are without^ 
that which cometh upon me daily ^ the care of all the 
Churches:' 2 Cor. xi. 26-8. 



70 



LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE, 



CHAPTER XIY. 



DIOCESAN TROUBLES AN OCTOGENARIAN ELECTION OF AN AS- 
SISTANT BISHOP PARTIES IN THE CHURCH. 



Until a very late period of his life, Bishop White 
met with few painful incidents in the government of 
his Diocese. But the earthly lot of no one can be 
altogether free from vexations and cares, and, there- 
fore, w^e are not surprised to find, that his case was 
not an exception to the general rule. The character 
of the good Bishop was of such unsullied purity, and 
his devotion to the best interests of the Church, so 
manifest, that no person had shown the least desire 
to oppose his wishes, or had expressed any dissatis 
faction with his official conduct. In later years, how- 
ever, the evils of party strife disturbed the peace of 
the Church in Pennsylvania, to a lamentable extent, 
causing him much unhappiness and concern. Indeed, 
he always looked back upon those troublous times, 
as the most wretched period of his life. On a cer 
tain occasion, when paying a visit of sympathy and 
condolence to a lady, with whose family he had long 
been on intimate terms, in the course of conversation, 
she inquired his age. He answered with much ani- 



DIOCESAN TROUBLES. 71 

mation, — " I now claim to be an octogenarian, as I 
entered my eightieth year last April." " You are 
no doubt ready," continued the lady, " to say with 
the patriarch, few and evil have been the days of 
your pilgrimage." " I am not prepared to say any 
such thing," was his prompt reply ; " for although I 
have suffered bereavements, this is the common lot ; 
and if one day was marked by affliction, another was 
filled with blessings. My severest trials have been 
of late years ;" and then, in his usual mild way, he 
alluded to the difficulties in the Diocese. 

At one period, these troubles assumed such a 
threatening aspect, that the Bishop had little hope 
that they would die out during his time, and, there- 
fore, he prepared a full account of the origin and 
progress of them, but, with characteristic forbearance, 
the parcel containing the documents on this subject 
was thus endorsed. " In the case of my decease, 
it is my wish that no use be made of the within, 
unless needful for the repelling of any attack on my 
reputation, or to meet any tendency to the disor- 
ganizing of the Church, originating in the transactions 
recorded." 

These dark days for the Church were principally 
in the years 1826 and 1827. But, blessed be God, 
these times have passed, and the biographer, although 
obliged, in faithfulness to his trust, to record events 
as they actually happened, whether prosperous or 



72 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

adverse, feels no disposition to dig up the troubles 
of the past from the quiet grave, and needlessly in- 
trade them upon the attention of those now enjoy- 
ing the blessings of peace. Suffice it to say,, that as 
the winding up of so many things which all good 
men must heartily deplore, an Assistant Bishop was 
elected for the Diocese, in the person of the Rev. 
Henry U. Onderdonk, then Rector of St. Ann's 
Church, Brooklyn, L. I., who was consecrated on the 
25th of October, 1827. 

Various attempts have been made, at different 
times, to bring the weight of Bishop White's honored 
name, to bear in the scale of different parties in the 
Church ; but in no sense can it with truth be said, 
that he was a party man at all. As our great 
Washington in the State, loomed far above the petty 
distinctions which made up party strife, so Bishop 
White knew no party, but loved the whole Church 
as one. The epithets. High and Low Church, which 
are now so often used, to distinguish conflicting 
shades of opinion in the Church, are of English 
origin, and grew out of political relations in the 
mother country, and there they should be left.* 

* " So thorougbly versed was Bishop White's mind in the history, both 
civil and ecclesiastical, of England, that he was disposed to recognize 
the terms " High and Low Church'' chiefly in their original and histo- 
rical siguificancy, as they came into use during the Stuart dynasty ; and 
sot to accede to the adoption of their modern sense." — New Yorh 
Rmiew^ VoL V^ p. 434. 



PARTY DIFFERENCES. 73 

Persons enter the fold of Christ from various 
motives, and, of course, they regard the peculiarities 
and claims of the Church from different points of 
view. Some are hoiii Episcopalians, and love the 
Church from association and habit. Others, weary of 
excitement, and irregularities elsewhere, have taken 
refuge in the Ark, as a safe and quiet home. A third 
class, are attracted by the beauty of the service, and 
the order and propriety which distinguishes every 
part of our public worship. Others, again, become 
Churchmen from principle. They have carefully 
examined the whole subject, studying the Scriptures 
and ancient authors, and Church history, and other 
aids for the settlement of so inriportant a question; 
and the result has been, that they have settled down 
into the m(^st assured conviction, that the Episcopal 
Church is a true branch of the Church which Christ 
established in the beginning; the Kingdom whose 
welfare He has promised to look after, even unto the 
end of the world. Now all of these classes may find 
ample room, and abundant pasture, in the one great 
sheep-fold. Differences of opinion may exist now, 
as they have always, we believe, existed in the 
Church : so long as the faith, set forth in the Creed, is 
preserved sound and complete, there is no particular 
harm in men differing one from the other, provided 
it be done in charity and humility, and provided 
party spirit be not allowed to find place in the 
7 



74 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

Church. As for any actual division in the ranks, — 
let an enemy from without assail our battlements, 
and he will find but one banner raised, and one 
common rally, to the rescue. 

■ High A^*D Low, 



Watch-words of party ; 



As if a Church, though sprung from Heaven, must owe 
To opposites and fierce extremes her life, — 
Not to the golden mean, and quiet flow 
Of truths that soften hatred, temper, strife." 



BISHOP white's scholarship. 75 



CHAPTER XV. 

BISHOP WHITE AS A STUDENT AND AN AUTHOR GIRARD COLLEGE 

NOBLE PROTEST — DANIEL WEBSTER QUESTION TO BE 

SOLVED. 

After the consecration of the Assistant Bishop of 
Pennsylvania, the care of the parishes in the more 
remote parts of the Diocese was entrusted to him ; 
while Bishop White confined his Episcopal duties 
chiefly to Philadelphia, and its neighborhood. These, 
however, with the additional weight of responsibility 
which his position as Rector of a large city parish, 
embracing three churches, brought with it, were no 
light burden for any shoulders to sustain. 

Had Bishop White consulted his own inclinations, 
most of his time would have been devoted to study ; 
but with all his other avocations, he still contrived 
to write many works of great value to the theo- 
logical* world. " He doubtless recognized in his pecu- 
liar ecclesiastical position, the paternal relation, as it 
were, to the young Church in this country, a respon- 
sibility to bring to her councils the assistance of 
sound and mature learning. He was unceasingly 
studious ; for a Bishop ' must be apt to teach.' Plis 



76 LIFE OF BISHOP ^VHIXE. 

scholarship ^vas no mere accumulation of barren 
theological lore, nor ^vas his study a place of cloistered 
contemplation. To the most advanced years of his 
life, on every fit occasion, his pen was pronipt to 
assert the cause of truth, and of the Christian Church. 
His learning was truly the learning of a Bishop, — 
active and diffusive for the good of the ministry, and 
of the people who were gathered about him ; a stream 
like unto that of the fountains of Elim, which flowed 
amid the palm-trees, healthfully and abundantly." 

The involved and obscure style of the Bishop will 
always be a drawback to the popularity of his works 
with general readers ; but by students, and those who 
wish to hold converse with one who was, in deed and 
in truth, one of •' the fathers of the Church," they 
will be highly prized. Any person who has examined 
his great work, entitled '• Comparative Views of the 
Controversy between the Calvinists and the Armi- 
nians,*' must have observed the unfortunate peculi- 
arity of style just referred to. Indeed, the book, as 
it appears in print, is more obnoxious to this criti- 
cism, than when it was first prepared in manuscript. 
It is told, as an exemplification of the Bishop's ha- 
bitual modesty, that he was shocked to find how 
often " r' occurred on its pages, and, accordingly, he 
went over the whole again, striking out this apparent 
evidence of egotism, and inserting instead those awk 
ward and homely expressions, '• It is the opinion of 



THE GIRARD COLLEGE CASE. 77 

the present writer," etc. Many a tyro in divinity 
who has smiled at these bungling sentences, would 
have had his respect and admiration for the good 
Bishop deepened and increased thereby, had he been 
aware of the cause which produced them. 

Although Bishop White was remarkable for his 
mild and yielding disposition, in things unimportant, 
yet, when his judgment prompted him to pursue a 
certain course of action, he went forward in the dis- 
charge of any duty with holy boldness. We have 
an example of this, in the incident which follows. 
" In his later years, a large sum of money was be- 
queathed, by a wealthy Philadelphia merchant, to 
the corporation of that city, for the foundation of an 
orphan college, on the sole condition that the boys 
should be kept w^ithout any instruction in any re- 
ligious creed, from six to eighteen, that they might 
then * adopt such religious tenets as their matured 
reason should enable them to prefer.' But the good 
Bishop was not to be led away by^ this specious 
liberality. He at once condemned the conditions of 
the will, and addressed to the corporation an uncom- 
promising and powerful appeal, in which he urged 
them ' to a respectful but determined rejection of 
the trust.' 'It is,' he allowed, 'a great sacrifice; 
but it cannot be too great when the acceptance of it 
would be an acknowledgment that religion, even in 
its simplest forms, is unnecessary to the binding men 



78 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

to their various duties.' "* The whole of the Bishop's 
admirable letter is worthy of a careful reading. It 
may be found entire, hi his life by Dr. Wilson, 
p. 234. 

In 1844, when Bishop White was resting froQi his 
labors in a better world, the question concerning 
Mr. Girard's will came, by appeal from the local 
jurisdiction of Philadelphia, before the Supreme 
Court of the United States. One of the lawyers who 
argued the case was the distinguished Daniel Webster. 
Not long before, he had renewed the vows of his 
Baptism in Confirmation, and become a conamunicant 
of the Church, — a circumstance which adds yet deeper 
interest to the masterly eloquence of his noble ap- 
peal. '• Would any Christian parent," he asks, '* con- 
sider it desirable for his orphan children after his 
death, to find refuge in this asylum, under all the 
circumstances and characteristics which belong to 
it 1 . . . . . Poor as children can be left, who would 
not rather tri:fet them to the Christian charity of the 
world, however uncertain it has been said to be, than 
place them where their physical wants and comforts 
would be abundantly^ attended to, but away from 
the solaces, the consolations, the graces, and the 
grace of the Christian religion f 

The warning voice of the Bishop and the stirring 

* Wilberforce's History of the Ame'rican ChurcTi, p. 2S4. 



THE RESULT NOT YET TO BE SEEN. 79 

eloquence of the Statesman were alike unheeded. 
Girard College has been founded, and it yet remains 
to be seen, whether the immense outlay of money 
which its establishment required, shall prove to com- 
ing generations a blessing or a curse. 



80 LIFE OF BISHOP TTHIIE. 



CHAP TEE XVI. 

MBSIOX TO CEXN'A TKE CSTRCH AEOUSiyG HERSELF TO ACTIOX — 

>t;glected oppoETryiTiES — de. cutler's sekmox — >rrsroR- 

ABLE CO-VTEXTION — MISSIOXAEY BISHOPS CHOSEN THE LAST 

^^GHT OF THE SESSION. 

Ls" the s:.::::^^ : : ' 1S35. the Rev. Messrs. Hanson 
and L : v first missionai'ies to China, set 

forth u ..•--.. Liiat xU.portant enterprise. Much less 
was known of the *" Celestial Empire*' than at 
pre-r:.". :.::] Foreign Missions, so tar as our branch 
of :i:e L nuroh was concerned, were quite in their in- 
fancy. Til- :i:ost lively interest was felt in the sub- 
ject, th: _ : every portion of the Union, and Dr. 
"White, as presiding Bishop of the Church, delivered 
to the missionaries some parting advice. These 
instructions were universally admired for the vigor 
of mind, prudence, liberality, and sound principles 
therein displayed. While Episcopalians were thus 
rousing up. in some degree, to a sense of their respon- 
sibility, in the great work of foreign missions, the 
domestic department was not forgotten. Happy 
would it have been for the prosperity of the Church, 
had the daims of our own countrv rer at- 



MISSIONARY WORK. 81 

tended to. The vast region west of the Alleghany 
mountains, now teeming with a rapidly increasing 
population, offered a most tempting field for mis- 
sionary enterprise, long before measures were per- 
fected, and means provided, for carrying them into 
effect. While other religious bodies were on the 
alert, for the possession of that territory, the Epis- 
copal Church was confining her efforts to the shores 
of the Atlantic. Only two or three of our clergy 
were to be found in the extensive region watered by 
the Mississippi and its tributaries. " One of these 
few clergymen was the Rev. Joseph Doddridge, a 
connection of the celebrated non-confirmist of the 
same name. This gentleman addressed a letter to 
Bishop White in the year 1811, urging the appoint- 
ment of a Missionary Bishop for the new country in 
which he resided. The weakness of the Church, with 
other circumstances, prevented immediate action on 
this important point, and a great opportunity was for 
ever lost. The injury formerly experienced through 
the want of Bishops in the eastern parts of the coun- 
try, was now more than realized in the west, and as 
population rapidly increased, vast numbers of the 
inhabitants became the victims of cold indifference, 
or of enthusiastic delusioja.""^ 

But, as before stated, the night had well nigh past, 

* Caswell's American Churchy p. 147. 



82 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

and the day began to dawn ; and the General Con- 
vention, which met at Philadelphia, in the autumn 
of IS 35, was the occasion for vigorous action. This 
council of the Church is memorable, as being the last 
in which Bishop White presided. A most stirring 
sermon had been preached, at Brooklyn, not long be- 
fore, by the Rev. Benjamin B. C. Cutler, and its sub- 
sequent publication, and wide circulation, had called 
forth a very lively interest, in the cause of western 
missions. The Convention appointed a Committee 
to draw up a plan of organization for a Missionary- 
Society, which should meet the exigencies of the case, 
and it was agreed to place the Church upon the high 
and primitive ground which she occupied on the day 
of Pentecost, and that henceforth she should be, 
emphatically, a Missionary Churchy ^^^^'^% forth, in 
obedience to the Lord's command, " making disciples 
of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the 
Father^ and of the Son^ and of the Holy Ghost^ 
On the last day of the Convention, the •' Board of 
Missions,"' at the call of Bishop White, held its first 
meeting. Let an eye-witness describe what fol- 
lowed : — •• The canon ' Of Missionary Bishops' had 
received the final sanction of both houses. Two 
over-shepherds were to be sent out, the messengers 
of the Church, to gather and to feed, under the di- 
rection of the House of Bishops, the scattered sheep 
that wander, with no man to care for their souls, 



MISSIONARY BISHOPS. 83 

through all the wide and distant west. In the Church, 
(St. Andrew's,) the representatives of the Dioceses are 
assembled. They wait, in their proper places, the 
eventful issue, while expectation thrills the hearts of 
all the multitude which throngs the outer courts. In 
a retired apartment, the fathers of the Church are in 
deep consultation. There are twelve assembled. 
They kneel in silent prayer. ' They rise. They cast 
their ballots. A messenger bears the result to the 
assembled deputies. A breathless silence fills the 
house of God. Two godly and well-learned men are 
nominated the two first Missionary Bishops of the 
Church ; and all the delegates, as with a single voice, 
confirm the designation. One scene remains. The 
night is far advanced. The drapery of solemn black 
which lines the church,* seems more funereal in the 
faint light of the expiring lamps. The congregation 
linger still, to hear the parting counsels of their 
fathers in the Lord. There is a stir in the deep 
chancel. The Bishops enter, and arrange themselves 
in their appropriate seats. The aged patriarch, 
(Bishop White,) at whose hands they all have been 
invested with the warrant of their holy trust, stands 
in the desk, — in aspect meek, serene, and venerable, 
as the beloved John at Ephesus, when, sole survivor 
of the Apostolic band, he daily urged upon his flock 

testimony of the sorrow of the Congregation for their deceased 
Rector, the late Dr. BedeU. 



84 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

the affecting lesson, ' Little children, love one an- 
other.' Erect and tall, though laden with the weight 
of almost ninety winters, and with voice distinct and 
clear, he holds enchained all eyes, all ears, all hearts, 
while, with sustained and vigorous spirit, he recites, 
in behalf and name of all his brethren, the pastoral 
message, drawn 'from the stores of his long- hoarded 
learning, enforced by the deductions of his old ex- 
perience, and instinct throughout with the seraphic 
meekness of his wisdom. He ceases from his faith- 
ful testimony. The voice of melody, in the befitting 
words of that delightful Psalm, ' Behold, hov/ good 
and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in 
unity,' melts every heart. And then, all knees are 
bent, to ask once more, as something to be borne 
and cherished in all after life, the Apostolic bene- 
diction of that good old man." [Bishop Doane's 
account of the General Convention of 1835, in the 
Appendix to his sermon at the consecration of Dr. 
Kemper.] 



THE BISHOP AS A CITIZEN. 85 



CHAPTER XVII. 

BISHOP WHITE AS A CITIZEN WIRE DRAWN BIOGRAPHIES — 

INFLUENCE AT ELECTIONS COLONIZATION SOCIETY GREEK 

REVOLUTION INDIAN TRIBES PUBLIC DINNERS. 

We have now followed Dr. White, through his 
long and eventful career, as a faithful pastor, and an 
able and devoted Bishop of the Church of God. 

There is still another point of view in which the 
character and conduct of this remarkable man, may 
be studied with advantage — I mean his position as a 
citizen of the republic. But here, as in the other 
parts of his history, brevity will be kept constantly 
in view. The modern practice of swelling the bio- 
graphies of the most ordinary persons, by the publi- 
cation of miscellaneous correspondence, and by the 
tedious detail of trifling incidents, is one which should 
be discountenanced by all who estimate time at its 
true value, and who remember how much is to be 
done in this short space. 

Bishop White did not think that the character of 

a citizen of the commonwealth should be lost in that 

of the Christian minister ; but he regarded the duties 

and privileges of the former, as perfectly consistent 

8 



86 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE* 

with those of the sacred ofRce. He accordingly 
made it a practice to vote at important elections ; 
never allowing himself, however, to act the part of a 
political partizan. His own experience seemed to 
warrant the conclusion, that his influence as a clergy- 
man was not at all diminished by this course. It 
was no small inconvenience, for an aged and infirm 
man, to attend the polls at a strongly contested 
election, but even this did not prevent him from dis- 
charging what he believed to be a duty. " The 
reverence felt for him by all parties was sometimes, 
on such occasions, strikingly manifested, by their 
suspending, on his approach, their struggles for access 
to the windows where the votes were deposited, and 
opening a lane through which he could advance for 
that purpose, and again retire without difficulty. 
And the beneficial effect of the incident on the feel- 
ings of the multitude, was observed to continue for 
a considerable time." Although it would seem to 
be a fair conclusion from this incident, that there is a 
salutary influence in the brief presence of a holy man, 
exercising a constitutional right ; still, it should be 
remembered by those who would regard it as a suffi- 
cient warrant for all clergymen to do likewise, that 
Bishop White was no common man, and that he lived 
in no ordinary times. Nobody could question the 
right of one who had been a patriot, before there was 
even a well-grounded hope that the colonies would 



BISHOP white's public SERVICES. 87 

be free, to continue the practice of voting, which he 
had uniformly pursued from the first; neither will 
any friend of his country fail to perceive that it was 
the duty of a Christian Minister whose influence was 
so unbounded, to exercise that influence for good. 

But can this case find a parallel in that of the 
humble parish minister, in ordinary peaceful times, 
who would risk the possibility of exasperating and 
dividing his flock, for the sake of showing to the 
world that he was as free as the best, and dared to 
do according to his good pleasure ? We think not. 

On three great public occasions, the Bishop con- 
sented to preside at meetings, more or less connected 
with political affairs. 

The first was called to promote the formation of 
the American Colonization Society, — a benevolent 
association, the object of which is the removal of free 
colored persons to the Colony of Liberia. In the 
prosecution of this enterprise. Bishop White labored 
for years with Henry Clay and other philanthropic 
individuals; regarding this, as one of the most 
direct modes of conveying the light of Christianity 
to the benighted regions of Africa. 

Another occasion on which the Bishop acted as 
President of a promiscuous assemblage of his fellow 
citizens, was in December, 1823, when public sym- 
pathy was so generally aroused in behalf of poor 
down-trodden Greece, then struggling for liberty and 
life, against the tyranny of the barbarous Turks. 



88 LIPE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

AgaiD, in January, 1830, we find him occupying 
the same conspicuous and responsible place, when the 
public were agitating the question, whether or not, 
it would be proper to send a memorial to Congress, 
asking, that in any measure of the government in 
reference to the Cherokee and other nations of In- 
dians, the faith of the United States towards them 
might be inviolably preserved. These were, indeed, 
three occasions, upon which a Christian Bishop, might, 
with propriety, be seen, taking the lead in measures 
so full of benevolence and good will to suffering 
men. 

Bishop White did not consider it inconsistent with 
his sacred office, to be present at the public dinners, 
given on festivals, or other celebrations. He be- 
lieved that it was called for by the prominent station 
which he occupied ; and he was also willing to do it, 
because it tended to check improprieties and ex- 
cesses, and also led to opportunities of usefulness, 
which he should not otherwise have obtained. He 
early made a resolution, however, that if he lived to 
the age of seventy, he should then consider himself 
at liberty to decline such invitations. This rule, he 
accordingly strictly observed, and when, in October, 
1830, he was requested to attend the one hundred 
and forty-eighth anniversary of the landing of William 
Penn, he contented himself with sending an appro- 
priate toast. 



CHURCH HISTORY. 89 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

COLLECTING MATERIALS FOR A CHURCH HISTORY DR. HAWKS SENT 

TO ENGLAND LETTER TO BISHOP WHITE INTERVIEW WITH 

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY KINDNESS AND COURTESY. 

The Convention of 1835, which had declared the 
Church to be one great Missionary Society, had 
appointed Bishop White and Dr. Francis L. Hawks 
a Committee to apply to the Archbishop of Canter- 
bury, and other persons in England, for any docu- 
ments which they might possess, which would throw 
light upon the early history of the Church in Amer- 
ica. Dr. Hawks had already published an interest- 
ing and valuable work upon the fortunes of the Church 
in Virginia, and he now zealously set forth, to collect 
materials for the prosecution of his important labors. 
He took with him to London, a letter from Bishop 
White, which at once secured for him a favorable 
reception, at the hands of English Churchmen. In 
his letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop 
referred, in a very happy manner, to the fact, that 
fifty years before he had received consecration from 
a predecessor of his Grace, and spoke, in modest 
terms, of the part which he had been allowed to act, 
in saving the Church in the United States from utter 



90 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

ruin. Soon after Dr. Hawks' arrival in London, he 
wrote to Bishop White a full account of the kind 
reception he had met with, and of the p"robable suc- 
cess of his mission. This interesting epistle contains 
such gratifying evidences of the kindly sentiments 
which are cherished by the Mother Church in Eng- 
land, towards the daughter upon this side of the 
Atlantic, that I shall make some extracts from it. 

" I waited first upon the Archbishop of Canter- 
bury, with your letter and a copy of the journal of 
the last General Convention. I was received with 
great courtesy, and indeed kindness of manner, and 
found in his Grace one of the humblest and most 
unpretending of men. I cannot better describe the 
scene which followed than by sending you a copy of 
my memoranda of our conversation, made upon my 
return home. After the first salutations I began : — 

" ' Your Grace, I believe, has already been informed 
by Mr. Norris of the general object of my visit to 
England. This letter from the Senior Bishop of the 
American Church, will more particularly explain the 
nature of my mission.' 

" ' Ah ! this then is the handwriting of good Bishop 
White ; I hope he is well.' 

" ' He was well, my Lord, when I left America.' 
(He then began to read the letter silently.) After 
a short time, he said, ' How old is the good Bishop 
now V 



DR. HAWKS SENT TO ENGLAND. 91 

" ^ In his eighty-ninth year, my Lord.' (Towards 
the close, he began to read aloud, and continued so 
to read to the end.) He then said : — * How beauti- 
fully he has expressed himself! He is a venerable 
man.' 

" ' And, I assure your Grace, beloved as well as 
venerated by the Church in America.' 

" ' No doubt of it. Well, I think there must be 
much in the library here which will be valuable to 
you, and everything is at your service. The records 
of the Venerable Society must also contain a great 
deal of information. I know that there are some 
manuscripts in the library here touching America, 
but I have never been able to examine them parti- 
cularly, for I have but little time. We have a Cata- 
logue of our Manuscripts which I will show you.' 
[Here he rose to get it.] 

" I then handed him the copy of the Journal ; and 
in reply to his question about the Constitution of 
our Church, explained to him in few words our System 
of Government, etc., and expressing the sense of 
obligation which we felt in America to the Church 
of England, for having planted, and so long sus- 
tained us. 

'' ' I am very happy to hear of the prosperity of 
the Episcopal Church in America — I was going to 
say, of the Churchy for such, (it may be from my 
old-fashioned notions,) I cannot help considering 



92 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

her. A history of your Church would be very in- 
teresting. I hope it will be written.'* 

" ' Bishop White has written, my Lord, an account 
of our general history since the Revolution ; and I 
hope, ere long, to put a copy into the hands of your 
Grace,' [and then I was obliged to tell him that I was 
at work, and had published the volume, on the Vir- 
ginia Church.] 

" ' I shall be glad to see them both, and always 
pleased to render any service in my power to the 
American Church. And now let me see how I can 
aid you. J must bring you into communication with 
Mr. Rose,' (his Chaplain, and he sent a servant for 
him.) 

" When Mr. Rose entered, he introduced me, and 
explained my business, and immediately arranged 
with him for affording me access at all times, and 
every desirable facility in my researches. He also 
wrote a note to the librarian of the British Museum, 
and when he handed it to me, he rose, and I took it 
as a signal to withdraw. 1 rose, also, and said, — 
• It only remains that, in the name of the Episcopal 
Church in America, I should thank your Grace for 
the ready kindness with which you have met their 
wishes, and which I will not fail, my Lord, properly 
to represent to them. 

* The best history of the American Church was written by Dr 
Wilber force, the Bishop of Oxford. 



THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. 93 

" ^ I shall be happy to serve them in this matter, 
and I shall hope, sir, to have the pleasure of seeing 
you again.' 

" He then shook hands with me, and I withdrew." 



94 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

LENGTHE^^XG SHADOWS — SERIOUS ILLNESS LAST SERMON 

STROKE OF DEATH CHRISTLAN COMPOSURE WIDE-SPREAD 

DISTRESS FUNERAL, 

We are now drawing towards the end. God 
had permitted Bishop White to see wonderful things, 
during the fifty years which had passed, since he 
kneeled in the chapel at Lambeth, and received his 
authority to labor as a Chief Shepherd of the flock. 
The good old man might well take up the song of 
holy Simeon, and declare his willingness now to 
" depart in peace." 

Bishop White had enjoyed excellent health during 
most of his life, his constitution being kept in vigor 
by exercise, and a proper attention to diet. 

In June, 1836, he had a severe attack of sickness, 
which occasioned much uneasiness ; but he soon re- 
covered, and resumed his official duties. During the 
last year of his life, the marks of age and infirmity 
began more plainly to show themselves ; still, how- 
ever, he attended to much out-door duty, and 
preached once on a Sunday, in one or other of his 
Churches. The last occasion upon which he officiated 



BISHOP white's last ILLNESS. 95 

was June 26th, 1836, when he preached at St. Peter's, 
on " The Gospel Sword," from the text, Hebrews iv., 
12th verse. It was remarked that he delivered this 
discourse with greater energy and effect, than had 
been usual with him for a long time. 

The newly-elected Bishop of Michigan, (the Rev. 
Samuel A. M'Coskry,) was soon to be consecrated, 
when Bishop White was expected to preside and 
preach ; — but God had appointed otherwise. 

During the night of the 2d of July, having 
risen from his bed, he fell with some violence upon 
the floor, owing, no doubt, to extreme weakness. 
His son, who slept in the same apartment, was 
startled by the sound, and immediately replaced him 
in the bed, which he left no more. The taper of life 
was flickering in the socket, and without pain or un- 
easiness, he gradually wasted away. The Bishop 
continued to enjoy the use of his mental faculties to 
the last, except upon a few occasions, when he 
seemed to fancy himself engaged in the performance 
of some Episcopal office, very likely thinking of the 
consecration, when he had hoped to be able to officiate. 
He recognized the friends who called to see him, and 
conversed with them, although, through bodily weak- 
ness, it cost him much effort to do so. He was fully 
aware of his condition, and as any one who knew the 
character of Bishop White might expect, he was 
humble, hopeful, and serene. 



yo LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

Through his whole life he had shown a decided 
repugnance to make a display of those secrets of the 
heart which belong only to the Christian and his 
God, and therefore we need look for no death-bed 
scene. " He was not disposed, of his own accord, 
to speak concerning the state of his mind, his expecta- 
tions or consolations. It was only in reply to some 
remarks made to him by Bishops Doane and M'Cos- 
kry, who were attending him, that he spoke at all 
upon the subject. But then he fully expressed, with 
greater warmth and animation than it was believed 
his weakness would have allowed, and than was usual 
with him, his reliance upon the merits of the Re- 
deemer alone for acceptance ; and the comfort, the 
" charming" gratification, of being enabled to trust in 
the Divine goodness, and to realize the protecting 
care of God in life and in death."* 

A report of the Bishop's alarming sickness spread 
far and wide, and occasioned much anxiety and dis- 
tress. He was a man whom the world could ill 
afford to lose, and " prayer was made without ceas- 
ing of the Church unto God for him." The good 
Bishop died on the morning of Sunday, the 17th of 
July. " Upon this sacred day, whose solemn ser- 
vices for nearly seventy years had seldom failed to 
engage his voice in the several offices of the Christian 

* Bishop White's Memorial by Dr. Wilson, p. 266-7. 



FUNERAL OF BISHOP WHITE. 97 

rainistry, as the hour of noon approached, when the 
prayers of faithful thousands had but just gone up to 
heaven in intercession for him, — the day itself " so 
calm, so cool, so bright, the bridal of the earth and 
sk}^," — in the house"* which for half a century had 
been his home, in his own chamber, upon his own 
bed, with all his loved ones of the first and second 
generations gathered around him, so quietly, that not 
a murmur caught the quickened sense of love's most 
practise'! ear. so gently that the most attentive eye 
marked not the moment of its transit, — his peaceful 
spirit took its flight from earth, washed, as we humbly 
trust, from all defilements, in the blood of that im 
maculate Lamb, which was slain, to take away the 
sins of the world, to be " presented pure and without 
spot ' before God.' " — His funeral was attended by a 
vast concourse of people, of every rank in life. Four 
Bishops, and two of the oldest clergy, bore the pall. 
As the long procession slowly moved along, the 
stores were closed, and tears fell fast, from the eyes 
of old and young. 

The faneral services were held in Christ Church, 
and the bells, which half a century before, had rung 
out a rejoicing, when he came back from a distant 
land a consecrated Bishop, now mourned the good 
man's departure from the earth. The procession was 

* The house is S9 Walnut Street, above Third. The Bishop had lived 
there ever since his return from England, in 1787, 



y© LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

met at the church-yard gate by the Rev. Mr. Sheets, 
Rector of Trinity Church, Oxford, who repeated the 
appropriate sentences from the burial service, as the 
coffin was carried up the centre aisle, to the front of 
the chancel. The anthem and the lesson were read 
by the Rev. Dr. Delancey, and a very appropriate 
and able sermon was preached by the Assistant 
Bishop of Pennsylvania, from the text. Job i. 8 :— 
'^ Hast thou considered my servant Job ^ that there is 
none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man^ 
one that fear eth God, and escheweth evil .^" The remains 
of the venerable patriarch were then deposited in his 
family vault, there to await his final summons to the 
resurrection of the just. 



BISHOP white's character. 99 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE GENERAL SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION CHARACl'ER OF BISHOP 

WHITE -—HIS GOODNESS MILDNESS HUMILITY BENE- 
VOLENCE AFFECTION CONCLUSION. 

Among the resolutions adopted bj "The General 
Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union," upon 
the mournful occasion of Bishop White's death, was 
the following : 

'^ jResolved, That since, in the whole life of this 
bright exemplar of every Christian virtue and grace, 
the childlike simplicity, so strongly recommended in 
the Gospel, as peculiarly becoming the followers of 
the meek and lowly Jesus, was ever conspicuous ; 
his is a character that pre-eminently deserves to be 
held up to our Sunday school children, as well as to 
all others, for imitation."* 

It is with a view of carrying out the spirit of this 
resolution, in some degree, that the foregoing narra- 
tive has been prepared. 

The character of Bishop White, in many particu- 
lars, has already been displayed, in the events just 

♦ Sunday School Visitor, II. p. 261. (1836.) 



100 LIFE OF BISHOP ^HITE. 

recorded ; but in order to present the man as he was, 
in a better and clearer light, it ^yill be necessary to 
refer to the matter again, with this special object in 
view. 

From his earliest childhood, Bishop White had 
been remarkable for his goodness. By nature, (or 
rather by nature renewed through the power of God's 
grace.) he was gentle, and considerate, and calm, and 
benevolent. 

In his case, therefore, we have a most happy exem- 
plification of the value of early religious training. 

His friend, Dr. Wilson, who had known him long 
and well, says, in reference to the Bishop's religious 
character : — " Were I allowed to characterize his re- 
lifrious feelinors, and to attribute them to their true 
source, I could not avoid pronouncing them to be of 
that submissive, steady, sweetly serene and con- 
solatory kind, which the Gospel encourages us to ex- 
pect from such an advancement as he had made, 
through Divine Grace, towards the attainment of the 
' perfect love which casteth out fear.' " (Memoir, 
p. 273-4.) 

As an additional testimony, I may add a few words 
fi'om the admirable sermon preached at his funeral. 

" His whole life, from inflmcy to extreme old age, 
spent in one community, neither that community, 
nor an individual either there or elsewhere, has even 
a whisper against him. So ignorant was he, person- 



I 



HIS PERSONAL QUALITIES. 101 

ally, of evil, so far from conceiving how widely and 
in what many way it operates, that he was as free 
from suspicion of others, as from guile in his own 
bosom ; indeed, he was often too reluctant in the 
caution which foresees the natural workings of human 
motives. Thus pre-eminent in all good qualities and 
dispositions, it is not wonderful that his character 
was allowed by every one to have been that of a 
perfect man, and an upright. With all this excellence, 
unquestioned and unquestionable, the principles of 
our venerable father had no affinity whatever with 
those which recognize the merit of human virtue; 
which rest the hope of immortality on moral ac- 
curacy, even as combined with punctilious religious 
performances ; which look for acceptance with God to 
any source but the merits of the only Redeemer." 

The mildness and gentleness of Bishop White's 
disposition appeared on all occasions. We observe 
it, even in his controversial writings; and it is the 
more remarkable here, because such works often- 
times call forth a bitterness of spirit, which, at others, 
may be wholly out of keeping with an author's 
general temper of mind. 

He was always friendly and tolerant in his inter- 
course with different denominations of Christians, 
but he never sacrificed his Church principles, or proved 
recreant to the solemn vows which he had made at 
the altar. 

9* 



102 LIFE OF BISHOP WHITE. 

Modesty and hurailitv were also prominent traits 
of his character, appearing in his whole life and con- 
versation. 

Although he occupied so prominent a position in 
the Church, and possessed an unusual degree of per- 
soual influence, he was always unassuming, and ap- 
parently unconscious that he stood on an eminence, 
above the common level. 

The Bishop was distinguished for his benevolence 
and liberality. His charities, however, cost him 
much self-sacrifice, for his family was large, and his 
revenues were not great. Besides, his position as 
the head of the Church in a large diocese, exposed 
him to many additional expenses. 

A London paper, in speaking of his death, had 
referred t<.> the comparative smallness of his salary, 
— to which a Philadelphia editor replied, with great 
truth and beauty, — " Bishop White enjoyed a revenue 
beyond a monarch's command, his daily income was 
beyond hunnan computation. If he vi^ent forth, age 
paid him the tribute of aflectionate respect, and 
children ' rose up and called him blessed.' " 

In his intercourse with his family and near friends, 
he was exceedingly tender and affectionate, and his 
general social relations with the world were marked 
by urbanity and kindness, flowing from a heart which 
was full of love for all. 

It may be said, without exaggeration, that Bishop 



CONCLUSION. 103 

White lived and died without one solitary enemj, 
— fourscore years and ten, without a wound from 
an angry feeling ! 

He had been raised up by God to do a special 
work for the Church, in the time of her deepest 
distress, and having accomplished this task, he went 
home to his reward. 

And now my pleasing task is done ; and in laying 
aside my pen, I feel as if bidding farewell to a pure 
and saintly spirit, with which it has been my pri- 
vilege in this manner to converse. 

When, month by month, in the prayer " for the 
whole state of Christ's Church militant," we bless 
Gods holy name " for all His servants departed this 
life in His faith and fear," and beseech Him to give 
us grace to follow their good examples," — we may 
well treasure in our minds the fragrant memory of 
Bishop White. 



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